Acute myocardial infarction following “dry scooping” of a pre-workout supplement in a healthy young man of African origin: A case report

Abstract

Dry scooping, a rather risky act of consuming undiluted pre-workout protein powder hoping for a more pronounced energy surge, is increasingly becoming a fitness trend worldwide. A previously healthy 25-year-old man of African origin presented with acute onset of crushing mid-sternal chest pain for 4 h. His symptoms began about an hour following completion of his 2-h exercise regimen at the gym. He had an unremarkable past medical history except for an 8-month consumption of a pre-workout supplement as part of his gym routine. He claimed to have adhered to the manufacturer’s recommended method of using the supplement, except for 3 days prior to presentation when he started “dry scooping” following the viewing of a video advocating such practice from his fitness WhatsApp group. Cardiac evaluation revealed features in keeping with diagnosis of anterolateral ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Emergency coronary angiography revealed a thrombotic lesion completely occluding the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery with TIMI 0 flow distally. After successful balloon angioplasty, a drug-eluting stent was implanted successfully, restoring TIMI 3 flow to the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery. This case report aims to raise awareness among both clinicians and the general public regarding the pervasiveness of pre-workout supplements, improper methods of consumption, and the potential life-threatening repercussions of misuse.