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Published on: June 11, 2019
Metastatic Cardiac Tumor Presenting as an Anteroseptal ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction in a Young Male
John-Henry L Dean1, Arjun G Kalra1, Shayef Gabasha2
1Department of Internal Medicine, Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, USA.
Insights
ST-segment elevation on electrocardiogram (ECG) can mimic myocardial infarction but may indicate other serious conditions. This case shows ECG changes due to a cardiac tumor in a sarcoma patient, not a heart attack.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Oncology
Background:
- ST-segment elevation on electrocardiogram (ECG) typically indicates acute myocardial infarction requiring urgent intervention.
- Differential diagnosis is crucial, as non-ischemic causes can present similarly.
Observation:
- A patient with a history of primary bone sarcoma presented with a large pericardial effusion.
- Electrocardiogram revealed ST-segment elevation without cardiopulmonary symptoms.
Findings:
- The ST-segment elevation was attributed to a persistent current of injury.
- A mass in the interventricular septum, likely a metastatic lesion, was identified as the cause.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering alternative diagnoses for ST-segment elevation.
- Maintaining a broad differential diagnosis is vital in cancer patients to avoid unnecessary invasive procedures and manage potential metastatic disease.
Abstract:
In the appropriate clinical context, ST-segment elevation on electrocardiogram (ECG) necessitates prompt evaluation for coronary artery occlusion requiring reperfusion with percutaneous coronary intervention. Conversely, the etiology of ST-segment elevation may be representative of an alternative diagnosis other than myocardial infarction. We report the case of a patient with a history of primary bone sarcoma who presented for further evaluation of a large pericardial effusion identified on an outpatient echocardiogram and was found to have ST-segment elevation on ECG in the absence of any cardiopulmonary symptoms. The ECG abnormalities were attributed to a likely persistent current of injury resulting from a mass in the interventricular septum, likely representative of a metastatic lesion of his known malignancy. This case highlights the importance of maintaining a broad differential for ST-segment elevation, particularly in patients without symptoms of angina and those with a history of aggressive or relapsing cancer to minimize the morbidity and mortality of invasive procedures.
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