[Acute myocardial infarction triggered by salbutamol in asthma bronchiale]

The authors report the case of an 77-year-old woman with no evidence of previous cardiac disease who developed a non-Q-wave myocardial infarction after beta2-mimetic treatment for the exacerbation of her chronic bronchial asthma. After the five dose of salbutamol spray she developed chest pain. The electrogram showed ST segment elevation in leads I-aVL-V4-6. Urgent coronary angiography showed only non significant left anterior coronary artery stenosis (20%). A subsequent echocardiogram also revealed anterolateral hypokinesia and acute reversible left ventricular dysfunction (LVEF:30%). Both troponin T concentration and creatine kinase rose. Next day in the lateral leads negative T-waves developed with QT-prolongation and without pathologic Q-waves. Although myocardial infarction and acute reversible left ventricular dysfunction is a rare complication following beta2 mimetic treatment one should use high-dose beta2-agonists with caution.