Acute Myocarditis and ST-Segment Elevation

Am J Cardiol. 2016 Nov 15;118(10):1605-1608. doi: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2016.08.031. Epub 2016 Aug 24.

Abstract

We report a case of focal myocarditis in a young boy mimicking acute ST-segment elevation MI. He presented with chest pain and the EKG changes were consistent with infero-laeral ST-segment elevation MI. Coronary angiogram revealed smooth arteries with no obstruction. Troponin was significantly elevated and the echocardiogram exhibited mildly impaired LV function with hypokinetic inferior and lateral walls. Subsequently performed cardiac magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the diagnosis of myocarditis by exhibiting classic features of delayed gadolinium enhancement in the epi and mid-myocardial regions of the lateral wall sparing the sub-endocardial region. This case exhibits the use of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging for diagnosis in such scenarios as often if the angiogram is normal other differential diagnosis are often speculated without actual evidence.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Video-Audio Media

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adolescent
  • Cardiac Catheterization
  • Chest Pain / diagnosis
  • Chest Pain / etiology*
  • Coronary Angiography
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Electrocardiography*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Cine / methods
  • Male
  • Myocarditis / complications
  • Myocarditis / diagnosis*
  • Myocardium / pathology*
  • ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction / diagnosis*