Fatal infant myocardial infarction caused by ball-IN-valve mechanism from a dysplastic aortic valve.
BACKGROUND
Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) can occur in infants. Early identification of AMI can allow for specific therapies aimed at improving patient outcomes.


OBJECTIVE
This article describes a case of an infant with AMI caused by a previously unreported mechanism and reviews diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for dealing with this rare disease.


METHODS
We present a case of a 5-week-old infant with a fatal AMI due to a pedunculated nodule from a dysplastic aortic valve leaflet creating a ball-in-valve mechanism and occluding the left main coronary artery.


CONCLUSIONS
AMI is an important diagnostic consideration in any infant presenting with signs of unexplained cardiogenic shock. Practitioners who care for children should be aware of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for AMI in infants.
Department of Emergency Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana.
Benton R
BR
Hunter
Trace
T
Caton
D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000002:abnormalities*; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D000082882:Bicuspid Aortic Valve Disease; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000150:complications*; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000209:etiology*
congenital; infant; myocardial infarction