Pulmonary embolism mimicking acute myocardial infarction: a case report and review of literature

Abstract

The diagnosis of pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) with changes shown by electrocardiography (ECG) is a challenge in the clinical practice due to rare pathognomonic findings. We report the case of a 37-year old woman managed in out of hospital sitting for a chest pain. Electrocardiogram was suggestive of antero-septal acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Catheterization revealed non occlusive coronary disease. Transthoracic echocardiography showed an elevated pulmonary and right heart pressures. Computed tomography pulmonary angiography confirmed the diagnosis of bilateral pulmonary embolism. PTE with ECG changes should be considered in the differential diagnosis of AMI, particularly in young patients with chest pain and ST segment elevation suggestive of acute coronary syndrome.

Keywords

• myocardial infarction
• pulmonary thromboembolism
• electrocardiography