Acute myocardial infarction induced by alcohol ingestion in an asymptomatic individual

This case report deals with a 47-year-old asymptomatic man without risk factors for coronary artery disease. He developed acute myocardial infarction 6 hours after ingestion of 0.5 litre of whisky within 30-60 minutes. The acute myocardial infarction was proved by a typical and prolonged angina pectoris, elevated enzymes typical for myocardial necrosis and ECG signs of acute anteroseptal and anterolateral myocardial infarction. A coronary angiography 3 months later revealed normal coronary arteries but marked hypokinesia of the anteroseptal and anterolateral segments of left ventricular wall. The sequence of events and objective data support our hypothesis that disturbance of coronary flow could be induced by an excessive ingestion of alcohol. The article discusses possible mechanisms of alcohol effects on arteries.