Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 17, 2025
09:14
Pre-Chiasmatic, Single Injection of Autologous Blood to Induce Experimental Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in a Rat Model
Published on: June 18, 2021
2.3K
The Great Mimicker: A Unique Case of Diffuse Subarachnoid Haemorrhage Simulating Acute Myocardial Infarction
Mina Gerges1, Lefika Bathobakae1, Anas Mahmoud1
1Internal Medicine, St. Joseph's University Medical Center, Paterson, USA.
European Journal of Case Reports in Internal Medicine
|August 12, 2024
Summary
Subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) can mimic heart attacks with EKG changes and elevated troponin. Prompt diagnosis is vital as SAH requires different treatment than acute coronary syndrome to avoid harm.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Cardiology
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) is a critical neurological emergency.
- SAH can trigger neurogenic stunned myocardium (NSM), presenting with cardiac symptoms.
- NSM mimics acute myocardial infarction (MI) with EKG abnormalities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight a unique case of massive SAH mimicking acute MI.
- To emphasize the importance of considering SAH in cardiac emergencies.
- To underscore the risks of misdiagnosing SAH as ACS.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a patient with massive SAH.
- Clinical presentation analysis including EKG findings.
- Review of SAH and NSM pathophysiology.
Main Results:
- The patient presented with diffuse ST-segment deviation, simulating acute MI.
- SAH led to cardiac arrest and death.
- The case illustrates the diagnostic challenge posed by SAH.
Conclusions:
- SAH can present with EKG changes and troponin rise, mimicking acute coronary syndrome (ACS).
- SAH must be in the differential diagnosis for patients with neurological symptoms and EKG abnormalities.
- Misdiagnosis can lead to inappropriate treatments and delayed neurological interventions.
