Chest pain and ST-segment elevation in a patient with polymyositis: a case report

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Published on: December 28, 2012

Pavlos N Stougiannos1, Dimitrios Z Mytas, Andreas A Katsaros

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Hippokration Hospital, Athens, Greece, 114, Vas, Sofias Street, 11527 Athens, Greece. d.mitas@yahoo.gr.

Cases Journal
|January 27, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Polymyositis can cause life-threatening focal myocarditis, mimicking heart attacks. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for managing this rare cardiac complication in autoimmune disease patients.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Rheumatology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Cardiac involvement is a known complication of polymyositis, encompassing conditions like myocarditis and arrhythmias.
  • Acute myocarditis in polymyositis is rare and can be life-threatening, despite often having a mild course.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report a case of polymyositis presenting with symptoms mimicking ST Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome.
  • To discuss the diagnostic challenges and treatment strategies for focal myocarditis in a polymyositis patient.

Main Methods:

  • Case report of a 36-year-old woman with polymyositis.
  • Clinical presentation mimicking acute coronary syndrome.
  • Diagnostic evaluation considering autoimmune etiology.

Main Results:

  • The patient's symptoms, atypical for cardiac ischemia, prompted reconsideration of the diagnosis.
  • Focal myocarditis was identified as the cause, despite the absence of typical cardiovascular risk factors.

Conclusions:

  • Polymyositis can present with cardiac manifestations that mimic acute coronary syndromes.
  • A high index of suspicion and a thorough diagnostic approach are essential for identifying focal myocarditis in polymyositis patients.
  • Management requires careful consideration of the underlying autoimmune condition.
Abstract

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