Case report: Apical variant hypertrophic cardiomyopathy simulating an acute inferior myocardial infarction

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• Chest pain is a common presenting complaint in emergency departments.
• Acute myocardial infarction is a primary concern in patients with cardiac risk factors and suggestive electrocardiographic findings.

Observation:

• A female patient presented with chest pain and no prior medical history.
• Electrocardiographic findings and risk factors prompted suspicion of acute myocardial infarction.

Findings:

• Coronary catheterization and subsequent studies ruled out coronary artery disease.
• Further investigations confirmed apical variant hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or Yamaguchi syndrome.

Implications:

• This case underscores the need for a broad differential diagnosis in patients with chest pain.
• Recognizing rare cardiomyopathies like apical variant hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management.