Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 3, 2025
Murine Myocardial Infarction Model using Permanent Ligation of Left Anterior Descending Coronary Artery
Published on: August 16, 2019
Myocardial Bridging, Unusual Cause of Myocardial Infarction; Case Report and Review of Literature
Merga Daba1, Dawit Bineyam1, Ibraist Yohannes1
1Department of Internal Medicine College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University Addis Ababa Ethiopia.
Insights
Myocardial bridging, a common coronary anomaly, can rarely lead to myocardial infarction. Diagnosis via CT angiography is key when other causes are ruled out.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Radiology
- Congenital Heart Disease
Background:
- Myocardial bridging is a frequent congenital coronary anomaly where arteries traverse heart muscle.
- Typically benign, it can rarely manifest with symptoms like angina, ischemia, or myocardial infarction.
- Suspicion is warranted when common causes of myocardial infarction are excluded.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a rare case of myocardial infarction secondary to myocardial bridging.
- To highlight the diagnostic utility of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA).
- To discuss clinical decision-making for surgical correction based on bridge characteristics and therapy response.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a 38-year-old female with chest pain.
- Diagnostic evaluation using high-resolution coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA).
- Assessment of bridge length, depth, and response to conservative management.
Main Results:
- CCTA confirmed myocardial bridging as the underlying coronary anomaly.
- The patient subsequently experienced a myocardial infarction, a rare complication.
- Bridge characteristics and therapeutic response informed management decisions.
Conclusions:
- Myocardial bridging, though common and usually benign, can precipitate myocardial infarction.
- CCTA is the gold standard for diagnosing myocardial bridging and guiding treatment.
- Early recognition and management are crucial for patients presenting with myocardial infarction and suspected bridging.
Abstract:
Myocardial bridging is a common coronary anomaly. Although it is considered to be a benign condition, it can rarely be complicated by myocardial infarction. Clinicians should be suspicious of myocardial bridging as an etiology of myocardial infarction when other more common etiologies have been excluded. High resolution CT angiography is the gold standard for diagnostic evaluation, with the length and depth of the bridge, and response to conservative therapies guiding clinical decision making on surgical correction. Myocardial bridging is a congenital coronary anomaly in which the coronary arteries pass through the heart muscle rather than lying on its surface. It is typically a benign condition, and most patients are asymptomatic. However, some may experience symptoms of angina. In rare cases, patients can present with myocardial ischemia or infarction. In this report, we present the case of a 38-year-old female who presented with a 2-month history of chest pain. Further evaluation with coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) revealed myocardial bridging. Subsequently, she developed a myocardial infarction, a rare complication of this condition. We discuss this uncommon complication of a common anomaly.
Related Concept Videos
01:17Ischemic Heart Disease: Overview
Atherosclerosis, the primary malefactor, orchestrates this dangerous condition. It manifests as the accumulation of fatty deposits, akin to insidious plaques, within arterial walls. As time elapses, these plaques metamorphose, hardening and...
01:26Imbalances in Cardiac Output
CHF can occur due to the failure of either side of the heart. Left-side failure leads to pulmonary congestion—the right side continues to send...