On the Precipice of Disaster – Fulminant Acute Myocarditis Mimicking ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction in a Young Patient

Abstract

Although acute myocarditis and coronary vasospasm are common differential diagnoses in the case of young patients with persistent ST elevation, the association of coronary vasospasm and acute fulminant myocarditis is a rare situation. We present the case of a 21 year-old male who presented with chest pain, ECG changes and biomarker levels initially interpreted as ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), in which severe coronary vasospasm was identified. Shortly after, he developed cardiogenic shock and fulminant acute myocarditis was suspected.

Keywords

• acute myocarditis
• coronary vasospasm
• stemi
• cardiogenic shock