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.

Medicine
|November 27, 2019
PubMed

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.
Abstract

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