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Chest pain and ST segment elevation attributable to cholecystitis: a case report and review of the literature

Steven J Durning1, Javed M Nasir, Jon M Sweet

  • 1Uniformed Services University School of Medicine, Bethesda, MD 20814-4799, USA.

Military Medicine
|January 30, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Gallbladder inflammation (cholecystitis) can mimic cardiac ischemia, causing chest pain and ST segment elevations. Prompt diagnosis and antibiotic treatment resolved these symptoms, highlighting the importance of considering noncardiac causes.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Chest pain with electrocardiographic changes often indicates cardiac ischemia.
  • Noncardiac conditions can present with similar symptoms, leading to misdiagnosis.

Observation:

  • A patient presented with chest pain and ST segment elevations mimicking acute myocardial infarction.
  • Coronary angiography revealed no coronary artery disease.
  • Cholecystitis was diagnosed and treated with antibiotics.

Findings:

  • The patient's symptoms and electrocardiographic changes resolved with antibiotic treatment for cholecystitis.
  • This case adds to the few reported instances of cholecystitis causing ST segment elevations.

Implications:

  • Cholecystitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of unexplained chest pain and ST segment elevations.
  • Early recognition can prevent unnecessary cardiac interventions and ensure timely treatment for gallbladder disease.

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