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Updated: Aug 31, 2026

Interventional Diagnostic Procedure: A Practical Guide for the Assessment of Coronary Vascular Function
Published on: March 15, 2022
[Coronary angiography is not always helpful in differential diagnosis between perimyocarditis and myocardial
Krzysztof Wrabec1, Lucyna Lenartowska, Wiesława Sawa
1Wydział Lekarski Kształcenia Podyplomowego AM, Wrocław, Poland.
Insights
Perimyocarditis can mimic acute myocardial infarction, making diagnosis challenging. Coronary angiography may not always be conclusive for perimyocarditis, especially with typical clinical signs.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- ST-T segment changes on electrocardiograms can indicate myocardial infarction or perimyocarditis.
- Differentiating between these conditions is crucial for appropriate patient management.
Observation:
- Four male patients (17-42 years) presented with ST-T segment changes.
- Coronary angiography was performed to determine the cause of their symptoms.
Findings:
- Three patients had normal coronary arteries; two showed typical perimyocarditis signs, one had atypical signs.
- The fourth patient, with risk factors, experienced infarction due to coronary artery spasm and possible endothelial dysfunction from myocarditis.
Implications:
- Coronary angiography may not be definitive in diagnosing perimyocarditis when clinical, ECG, and biochemical findings are suggestive.
- Alternative diagnostic approaches may be needed for suspected perimyocarditis.
Abstract:
Four males aged 17-42 years with ST-T segment changes suggesting perimyocarditis or non-Q acute myocardial infarction are presented. Coronary angiography was performed to establish the final diagnosis. Three patients had normal coronary arteries; two of them had typical clinical signs of perimyocarditis whereas the third patient had less typical changes. The fourth patient was a smoker, had a family history of coronary heart disease and left ventricular dysfunction due to a non-Q wave apical infarction. In this patient coronary angiography revealed small atheromatous plaques in the distal part of left anterior descending artery as well as left main and right coronary artery spasm. Angiospastic aetiology of infarction and probable endothelial dysfunction due to myocarditis were diagnosed. The authors conclude that coronary angiography is not always helpful if clinical, electrocardiographic and biochemical signs of perimyocarditis are observed.
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