Chest pain with ST segment elevation in a patient with prosthetic aortic valve infective endocarditis: a case report
2011

Chest Pain from Aortic Valve Infection

publication Evidence: low

Author Information

Author(s): Luther Vishal, Showkathali Refai, Gamma Reto

Primary Institution: Whittington Hospital NHS Trust

Hypothesis

Can acute myocardial infarction occur due to coronary embolisation from infective endocarditis?

Conclusion

Acute myocardial infarction can occur from coronary embolisation of valvular vegetation, and current treatment strategies may be dangerous.

Supporting Evidence

  • The patient had a history of aortic valve replacement and developed infective endocarditis.
  • Echocardiograms showed vegetation on both the mitral and aortic valves.
  • The patient experienced severe chest pain and ST segment elevation on ECG.
  • Thrombolysis and PCI were deemed too risky in this case.

Takeaway

Sometimes, heart attacks can happen because of infections in heart valves, and treating them like regular heart attacks can be risky.

Methodology

Case report of a 73-year-old man with infective endocarditis and acute myocardial infarction.

Limitations

Only one case is reported, limiting generalizability.

Participant Demographics

73-year-old British Caucasian man.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1752-1947-5-408

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