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Published on: April 25, 2014
Acute proximal left anterior descending thrombosis manifested by persistent hiccups: A case report
Hanxiang Gao1, Bo Zhang, Li Song
1Department of Cardiology, First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu, China.
Insights
Persistent hiccups can signal serious conditions like acute myocardial infarction. Promptly opening the blocked artery (LAD thrombosis) relieved the patient's intractable hiccups, highlighting a crucial diagnostic and treatment link.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Hiccups are typically benign but can indicate serious underlying medical conditions when persistent.
- This case highlights a rare presentation of a serious cardiac event.
Observation:
- A patient presented with recurrent abdominal discomfort, ST-segment elevation, and elevated Troponin I, initially suspected of intestinal obstruction.
- Persistent hiccups developed four days after initial presentation.
Findings:
- The patient was diagnosed with acute anterior wall myocardial infarction due to a proximal left anterior descending (LAD) artery occlusion.
- Hiccups resolved after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and stent implantation in the occluded LAD.
Implications:
- Intractable hiccups can be an unusual symptom of acute LAD thrombosis.
- Prompt revascularization of the occluded artery is crucial for managing such cases.
- This case underscores the importance of considering cardiac events in patients with unexplained persistent hiccups.
Introduction:
Hiccup is usually a benign and self-limited phenomenon. Therefore, if hiccups do not resolve by themselves and even last for a long time, it may be the marker of serious medical conditions.
Patient Concerns:
We encountered a case presenting with recurrent abdominal discomfort. Diffuse ST-segment elevation in V2-V6 and elevated Troponin I was identified. He had complained about constipation and incomplete intestinal obstruction was ever suspected. Four days later, he exhibited persistent hiccups.
Diagnosis:
He was diagnosed with acute anterior wall myocardial infarction. And elective coronary angiography showed that proximal left anterior descending (LAD) was occluded by fresh thrombus with TIMI 1 flow.
Interventions:
The lesion in proximal LAD was dilated with low pressure. Interestingly, the hiccups reduced. And after stent implantation the hiccup disappeared in 24 hours.
Outcomes:
The patient was discharged in good general condition, with maintenance therapy and a follow-up protocol.
Conclusion:
Hiccup is only rarely described in the context of acute proximal LAD thrombosis. However, if this special symptom occurs intractably during disease progression, thrombus is revealed to be the probable cause, prompt opening of the criminal vessel should be performed besides strengthening of anticoagulant and antiplatelet.
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