Chest pain in two athletic male adolescents mimicking myocardial infarction

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Pediatric Cardiology
• Emergency Medicine

Background:

• Acute chest pain with elevated cardiac enzymes and ECG changes often suggests myocardial infarction.
• However, other conditions can cause similar presentations, necessitating differential diagnosis.

Observation:

• This report details two male adolescents presenting to the emergency department with chest pain and elevated cardiac enzymes.
• Their symptoms mimicked acute coronary syndrome.

Findings:

• The adolescents were diagnosed with myopericarditis, not myocardial infarction.
• Myopericarditis was the underlying cause of their elevated cardiac biomarkers and chest pain.

Implications:

• Clinicians must consider myopericarditis in the differential diagnosis of chest pain with elevated cardiac enzymes in adolescents.
• Prompt and accurate diagnosis is essential to avoid misdiagnosis of myocardial infarction and ensure appropriate management.