Acute myocarditis masquerading as anterior wall myocardial infarction: A case report

Myocarditis is the inflammation of the myocardium. The clinical presentation of myocarditis ranges from asymptomatic state to acute heart failure which may mimic acute coronary events. Because of the similar presentation of chest pain, elevated cardiac enzymes, and electrocardiographic (ECG) changes, acute myocarditis may rarely masquerade as acute myocardial infarction (AMI). High suspicion is often necessary for treating such patients, keeping in mind the different treatment protocols required for managing each pathology.

SCARE 2020 Guidelines.

We report a case of a young female presenting with sudden onset chest pain with ECG changes suggestive of acute anterior wall myocardial infarction (AWMI). Further investigations ruled out AWMI, and she was diagnosed with acute myocarditis. She was treated for myocarditis and showed a prompt recovery.

Acute myocarditis may present clinically similarly to ACS; hence a high level of suspicion is required to differentiate the two entities. The absence of significant cardiovascular risk factors for atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, absence of RWMA, and normal coronary angiogram are further suggestive of myocarditis.