ST-ELEVATION MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION IN A MIDDLE-AGED WOMAN DUE TO CORONARY VASOSPASM: A CASE REPORT

Abstract

(This article may be cited as Alyonan ND. ST-elevation myocardial infarction in a middle-aged woman due to coronary vasospasm: A case report. E-Journal of Cardiology 2015; 3(1):45-48.)

A 52-year old woman developed sudden crushing retrosternal chest pain, and an electrocardiogram (ECG) taken in the ambulance revealed ST-segment elevation in the anterolateral leads. Coronary angiography was immediately performed at the Regional University Hospital and showed severe vasospasm of the Left Anterior Descending Artery (LAD) but otherwise normal coronary arteries without any stenosis, and therefore percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was not performed in this condition. The troponin I measurements were significantly elevated and bedside echocardiography revealed decreased left ventricular ejection fraction. The patient was diagnosed having a transmural myocardial infarction caused by severe coronary vasospasm. Physicians should be aware of this condition as a possible cause of myocardial infarction, as it requires other pharmacological intervention and has a better prognosis compared to myocardial infarction caused by coronary artery stenosis.