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Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Multimodality Diagnosis of Mesenteric Ischemia
Published on: July 21, 2023
A case report of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm presenting as an inferior ST elevation myocardial ischaemia
Rabea Shehadi1, Robert Zukerman1, Gil Gross1
1Department of Cardiology, Rambam Health Care Campus, HaAliya HaShniya 8 Street, Haifa, 3108601, Israel.
Background:
Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (RAAA) is a life-threatening condition requiring prompt diagnosis and urgent surgical management. Misdiagnosis is common due to atypical presentations, complicating timely treatment.
Case Summary:
This case report presents a rare instance of RAAA initially diagnosed as an ST elevation inferior myocardial infarction (STEMI). An otherwise healthy 66-year-old male presented to the emergency room with syncope while the ECG revealed ST segment elevation in the inferior leads. Urgent coronary angiography demonstrated three-vessel disease with no clear culprit lesion, leading to no intervention. An abdominal CT performed shortly afterward confirmed a ruptured infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Discussion:
This case highlights the importance of considering RAAA in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with ST segment elevation and no identifiable culprit coronary lesion.
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