Acute myocardial infarction with normal coronary angiograms

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Internal Medicine
• Clinical Case Reports

Background:

• Acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) is typically associated with risk factors like atherosclerosis, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia.
• While rare, myocardial infarction can occur in young individuals, necessitating investigation into potential underlying causes.

Observation:

• A 19-year-old student presented with symptoms consistent with acute myocardial infarction, including left-sided chest pain.
• Diagnostic confirmation included characteristic electrocardiographic (ECG) changes and elevated cardiac enzyme levels.

Findings:

• Despite the clinical presentation and diagnostic confirmation, the patient had no identifiable predisposing factors for cardiovascular disease.
• Selective coronary angiography revealed normal coronary arteries, ruling out obstructive coronary artery disease as the cause.

Implications:

• This case underscores the importance of considering myocardial infarction in young individuals presenting with chest pain, even in the absence of traditional risk factors.
• Further research may be warranted to explore non-atherosclerotic causes of myocardial infarction in the youth population.
• Highlights the diagnostic challenges and the need for comprehensive evaluation in atypical presentations of myocardial infarction.