Hyperventilation-induced ST segment elevation mimicking acute myocardial infarction in a comatose patient with tracheostomy.
Controlled hyperventilation leading to respiratory alkalosis may induce coronary artery spasm. This manoeuvre is currently used in the diagnosis of Prinzmetal's angina. We describe the case of a comatose patient with tracheostomy in whom hyperventilation, caused by excessive bronchial secretion resulting in partial obstruction of the tracheal cannula, was followed by ST segment elevation mimicking acute myocardial infarction.
de Gregorio
Cesare
C
Department of Medicine and Pharmacology, Messina University Medical School, Messina, Italy. Electronic address: cesaredegregorio@tiscali.it.
Saporito
Francesco
F
Department of Medicine and Pharmacology, Messina University Medical School, Messina, Italy.
Andò
Giuseppe
G
Department of Medicine and Pharmacology, Messina University Medical School, Messina, Italy.
Morabito
Gaetano
G
Department of Medicine and Pharmacology, Messina University Medical School, Messina, Italy.
Cerrito
Marco
M
Department of Medicine and Pharmacology, Messina University Medical School, Messina, Italy.
Oreto
Giuseppe
G
Department of Medicine and Pharmacology, Messina University Medical School, Messina, Italy.
D003128:Coma / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003329:Coronary Vasospasm / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006801:Humans; D006985:Hyperventilation / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014139:Tracheostomy