Late presentation of myocardial infarction (MI) during the COVID-19 pandemic
Chidambaram Chinniah1, Brian Conway2, Neil Yager2
1Albany Medical College, Albany, New York, USA chinnic@amc.edu.
Insights
A 65-year-old man experienced prolonged chest pain, later developing severe dyspnea due to a fully blocked Left Anterior Descending artery (LAD). Due to late presentation, medical management was advised to avoid reperfusion injury risks.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- A 65-year-old male presented with progressive dyspnea.
- Symptoms were preceded by 2 days of crushing substernal chest pain 3 weeks prior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a case of myocardial infarction with a late presentation.
Main Methods:
- Patient presented to the emergency department with worsening dyspnea.
- Coronary angiography was performed.
Main Results:
- Coronary angiography revealed 100% occlusion of the Left Anterior Descending artery (LAD).
- The patient was diagnosed with myocardial infarction.
Conclusions:
- Medical management was recommended due to the late presentation.
- Risk of reperfusion injury influenced the treatment decision.
Abstract:
A 65-year-old man presented to emergency department with progressive worsening dyspnoea, which was preceded by crushing, substernal chest pain 3 weeks prior that lasted for over 2 days. At the time the patient thought that this was a symptom of COVID-19 so he stayed at home and self-quarantined, until his symptoms worsened to the point of needing hospitalisation. The patient was found to have had myocardial infarction, with coronary angiography showing 100% occlusion of the Left Anterior Descending artery (LAD). Medical management was recommended given late presentation and risk of reperfusion injury.
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