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Perforation of the esophagus electrocardiographically mimicking myocardial infarction
Israel Journal of Medical Sciences
|June 1, 1986
Insights
Esophageal perforation can mimic a heart attack on electrocardiograms, even without typical symptoms. This case highlights the importance of considering non-cardiac causes for cardiac-like EKG changes.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Gastroenterology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Electrocardiographic changes are crucial for diagnosing acute myocardial infarction.
- Esophageal conditions can sometimes present with atypical symptoms that may affect cardiac diagnostics.
Observation:
- A 76-year-old female patient presented with a median esophageal perforation.
- Her electrocardiogram (EKG) showed findings consistent with an acute anterior wall myocardial infarction.
Findings:
- The patient's EKG changes suggestive of myocardial infarction were not accompanied by typical chest pain or elevated cardiac enzymes.
- Esophageal perforation was identified as the cause of the misleading electrocardiographic findings.
Implications:
- This case expands the differential diagnosis for electrocardiographic changes mimicking acute myocardial infarction.
- Clinicians should consider esophageal perforation in patients with atypical presentations and EKG abnormalities suggestive of cardiac events.
Abstract:
A 76-year-old woman developed a perforation of the median esophagus. A concomitant electrocardiographic follow-up was compatible with an acute anterior wall myocardial infarction, but was not accompanied by typical chest pain or elevated serum myocardial enzymes. Perforation of the esophagus is added to the list of diseases electrocardiographically imitating acute myocardial infarction.