Chest Pain and Myocarditis in a Young Woman with Polymyositis
Author Information
Author(s): Stougiannos Pavlos N, Myatas Dimitrios Z, Katsaros Andreas A, Kakkavas Apostolos T, Androulakis Aristides E, Kallikazaros Ioannis E, Chrissos Dimitrios N
Primary Institution: Hippokration Hospital, Athens, Greece
Hypothesis
Can myocarditis present with symptoms mimicking an acute coronary syndrome in patients with polymyositis?
Conclusion
The case illustrates that myocarditis can mimic acute myocardial infarction, especially in patients with autoimmune diseases like polymyositis.
Supporting Evidence
- The patient had symptoms mimicking an acute myocardial infarction.
- Cardiac enzyme levels were elevated, indicating heart muscle damage.
- Echocardiography showed regional hypokinesia and a mural thrombus.
Takeaway
A young woman with polymyositis had chest pain that looked like a heart attack, but it was actually inflammation of the heart muscle.
Methodology
The patient was treated with corticosteroids and monitored through echocardiography and cardiac enzyme levels.
Limitations
The case report is based on a single patient, limiting generalizability.
Participant Demographics
A 36-year-old Caucasian woman.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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