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[Thrombosis in normal coronary arteries causing acute myocardial infarction in an alcoholic patient]
D Pamplona1, M Barduco, M L Vieira
1Instituto do Coração do Hospital das Clínicas, FMUSP.
Insights
Heavy alcohol consumption may be linked to acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in young adults. A case study showed coronary artery thrombi resolved spontaneously within a week post-AMI, despite no other identified risk factors.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Internal Medicine
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) typically presents with established risk factors like hyperlipidemia or coagulation disorders.
- Younger patients experiencing AMI often undergo thorough investigation for underlying causes.
- Heavy alcohol consumption is recognized as a cardiovascular risk factor, but its direct role in acute thrombotic events is less understood.
Observation:
- A young patient with a history of heavy alcohol intake presented with AMI.
- Initial coronary angiography revealed thrombi in multiple coronary arteries despite unsuccessful intravenous thrombolysis.
- A follow-up angiography seven days later showed completely normal coronary arteries.
Findings:
- The patient had no plasmatic lipid or coagulation abnormalities.
- No other conventional risk factors for coronary artery disease were identified.
- The coronary thrombi resolved spontaneously without further intervention.
Implications:
- This case suggests a potential, albeit unusual, association between heavy alcohol ingestion and acute coronary artery thrombosis.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the specific mechanisms by which heavy alcohol use might trigger or resolve coronary thrombi.
- The findings challenge traditional understanding of AMI etiology in the absence of typical risk factors.
Abstract:
A case of a young patient, heavy drinker, who suffered an acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and whose cinecoronariography, early post unsuccessful intravenous thrombolysis, showed the presence of thrombi in multiple arteries is reported. A second cinecoronariography performed on the 7th day post AMI revealed normal coronary arteries. There were no plasmatic lipid or coagulation abnormalities, nor other risk factors for coronary artery disease. We speculate about the role of the heavy alcohol ingestion in this particular case.