title: Two questions for Kounis syndrome: can we use magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis and does ST elevation correlates with troponin levels?
abstract: Kounis syndrome (KS) is an acute coronary vasospasm after exposure to an allergen due to mast cell degranulation and existing mediators. Various drugs, conditions, and environmental exposures can cause KS. We presented 2 cases, 1 of whom had taken an antiflu drug (containing paracetamol, pseudoephedrine, and dextromethorphan). His electrocardiogram (ECG) showed inferior ST elevations (2 mm) with normal cardiac biomarkers. His cardiac magnetic resonance imaging showed hypokinesis and myocardial hibernation on apical septum and on the left ventricle. The second patient took a pill of naproxen sodium. The ECG showed 1-mm ST elevation in leads DII, V5, and V6. His troponin was markedly elevated. These cases showed that there seems to be no correlation with ECG and troponin levels in KS. In addition, for patients in whom KS type 1 is expected without troponin elevation, noninvasive cardiac magnetic resonance imaging study seems to be appropriate for the diagnosis of KS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Ataturk University Medical Faculty, 25240 Erzurum, Turkey. akozayhan@gmail.com
authors.forename: Ayhan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Akoz
authors.forename: Atif
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bayramoglu
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Uzkeser
authors.forename: Mecit
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kantarci
authors.forename: Enbiya
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Aksakal
authors.forename: Mucahit
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Emet
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects; D003329:Coronary Vasospasm / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D006321:Heart / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013577:Syndrome; D019210:Troponin I / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D019210:Troponin I