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Acute myocardial infarction in juvenile patients with normal coronary arteries
A Podczeck1, K Frohner, K Steinbach
13rd Medical Department, Wilhelminenspital, Ludwig Boltzmann Arrhythmia Research Institute, Vienna, Austria.
Insights
Young patients can experience acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) despite having normal coronary arteries. This study highlights the possibility of heart attacks in individuals under 21, even with risk factors for coronary artery disease.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Coronary artery disease (CAD) is typically associated with older individuals.
- Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in patients under 21 is rare but increasingly recognized.
Observation:
- Three patients under 21 years old presented with symptoms, ECG, and enzyme levels indicative of AMI.
- All three patients had various risk factors for CAD.
- Coronary angiography revealed normal coronary arteries in all cases.
Findings:
- AMI can occur in very young individuals.
- Normal coronary arteries do not exclude the possibility of AMI in this age group.
- The presence of CAD risk factors may be significant.
Implications:
- Clinicians should consider AMI in young patients presenting with suggestive symptoms, regardless of age.
- Further research is needed to understand the specific mechanisms and long-term outcomes of AMI in young patients with normal coronary arteries.
- This case series contributes to the literature on atypical presentations of cardiovascular events.
Abstract:
Three patients below 21 years of age presented with typical symptoms, electrocardiographic pattern, and levels of enzymes suggestive for acute myocardial infarction. Various risk factors for coronary artery disease were present in all three patients. Coronary angiography showed normal coronary arteries in all. Thus, acute myocardial infarction may be experienced even in very young patients. Clinical and angiographic findings are discussed on the basis of the existing reports in the literature.