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.

Cureus
|April 22, 2021
PubMed

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.

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