A rare case of persistent troponin elevation in a patient with chronic heart failure

Gonçalo Cardoso1, Carlos Aguiar, António Ventosa

  • 1Serviço de Cardiologia, Hospital de Santa Cruz, Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Ocidental, Carnaxide, Portugal.

Insights

A young woman with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy experienced myocardial infarction without coronary artery disease. Her condition progressed to heart failure and worsening ventricular dysfunction despite treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Clinical Case Study

Background:

  • Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a complex cardiac condition.
  • Myocardial infarction (MI) in young adults without obstructive coronary artery disease is rare.
  • Understanding atypical presentations of cardiovascular diseases is crucial.

Observation:

  • A 28-year-old woman with diagnosed HCM experienced an MI.
  • Coronary angiography revealed no significant coronary artery disease.
  • Two years post-MI, she developed heart failure symptoms.

Findings:

  • Persistent elevation of troponin I was noted.
  • Left ventricular systolic dysfunction was diagnosed.
  • Progressive worsening of ventricular dysfunction was observed over time.

Implications:

  • This case highlights a potential link between HCM and myocardial infarction in the absence of traditional risk factors.
  • It underscores the need for comprehensive etiological investigations in young patients with MI.
  • Further research may elucidate specific pathophysiological mechanisms in HCM leading to such events.

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