Acute myocardial infarction in a young man complicated with left ventricular thrombi

Chia-Pin Lin1, Feng-Chun Tsai, Pao-Hsien Chu

  • 1Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei 105, Taiwan.

Japanese Heart Journal
|January 19, 2005
PubMed

Insights

A rare case of premature coronary artery disease in a 23-year-old man with left ventricle thrombi after trauma is presented. This study reviews the pathophysiology of myocardial infarction in young adults.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Vascular Medicine
  • Trauma Surgery

Background:

  • Premature coronary artery disease (CAD) is uncommon, with left ventricle thrombus formation being an exceptionally rare complication.
  • Myocardial infarction (MI) in young adults often presents unique etiological factors and management challenges.

Observation:

  • A 23-year-old male presented with acute myocardial infarction following blunt chest trauma from a basketball impact.
  • Echocardiography and computed tomography revealed two peduncle thrombi at the left ventricular apex and a totally occluded left anterior descending coronary artery.

Findings:

  • The patient received anticoagulation therapy with heparin and warfarin, followed by coronary artery bypass grafting and thrombectomy.
  • Evidence of ecchymosed tissue suggested a traumatic etiology for the coronary artery disease.

Implications:

  • This case highlights the possibility of trauma-induced coronary artery disease and left ventricle thrombus in young individuals.
  • Understanding the pathophysiology and natural history of CAD in this demographic is crucial for effective clinical management and prevention strategies.

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