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Myocardial Infarction and Functional Outcome Assessment in Pigs
Published on: April 25, 2014
[Myocardial infarction during attempted suicide].
D Tapernoux1, D Weilenmann, M Diethelm
1Fachbereich Allgemeine Innere Medizin, Departement Innere Medizin, Kantonsspital St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Schweiz. daniel.tapernoux@kssg.ch
Deutsche Medizinische Wochenschrift (1946)
|February 12, 2009
Summary
Acute stress from a suicide attempt may trigger myocardial infarction. This case highlights a potential link between severe psychological distress and cardiac events, even with prior cardiac symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Psychiatry
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- A 64-year-old male with a history of depression and recent cessation of antidepressant medication presented after a suicide attempt.
- The patient reported several weeks of exertional chest pain prior to the event.
Observation:
- The patient sustained transection injuries to flexor tendons, median nerves, and the right radial artery.
- Electrocardiogram revealed acute inferoposterolateral ST-elevation myocardial infarction, with coronary angiography showing right coronary artery occlusion.
Findings:
- Successful percutaneous coronary intervention with stenting of the occluded right coronary artery was performed.
- Post-intervention, the patient experienced heart failure and aspiration, requiring intensive care.
- Subsequent operative reconstruction of tendons and nerves was necessary.
Implications:
- This case suggests a potential causal relationship between acute stress from a suicide attempt and the onset of acute myocardial infarction.
- The silent presentation of the myocardial infarction may be attributed to an overwhelmed sensory system due to extreme psychological distress.
- Highlights the critical interplay between mental health crises and cardiovascular events, necessitating integrated treatment approaches.
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