Acute inferior wall myocardial infarction induced by aortic dissection in a young adult with Marfan syndrome: A case report

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Aortic dissection (AD) is an emergent and life-threatening disorder, and its in-hospital mortality was reported to be as high as 24.4%-27.4%. AD can mimic other more common disorders, especially acute myocardial infarction (AMI), in terms of both symptoms and electrocardiogram changes. Reperfusion for patients with AD may result in catastrophic outcomes. Increased awareness of AD can be helpful for early diagnosis, especially among younger patients.

CASE SUMMARY

We report a 28-year-old man with acute left side chest pain without cardiovascular risk factors. He was diagnosed with acute inferior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), which, based on illness history, physical examination, and intraoperative findings, was eventually determined to be type A AD caused by Marfan syndrome. Emergent coronary angiography revealed the anomalous origin of the right coronary artery as well as eccentric stenosis of the proximal segment. Subsequently, computed tomography angiography (CTA) showed intramural thrombosis of the ascending aorta. Finally, the patient was transferred to the cardiovascular surgery department for a Bentall operation. He was discharged 13 d after the operation, and aortic CTA proved a full recovery at the 2-year follow-up.

CONCLUSION

It is essential and challenging to differentiate AD from AMI. Type A AD should be the primary consideration in younger STEMI patients without cardiovascular risk factors but with outstanding features of Marfan syndrome.

Key Words: Aortic dissection; Acute myocardial infarction; Marfan syndrome; Case report

Core Tip: We report a 28-year-old man who presented with acute chest pain and was diagnosed with acute inferior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction that was later found to be aortic dissection (AD) induced by Marfan syndrome. Differentiating AD from acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remains difficult. Suspicion of Marfan syndrome in young patients without risk factors for atherosclerosis increases the likelihood of AD over AMI. Difficulty in engaging the coronary artery or the presence of proximal eccentric stenosis is suggestive of type A AD.

INTRODUCTION

Aortic dissection (AD) is one of the leading cardiovascular causes of death, with an incidence of 4.3/100000-4.4/100000 per year[1,2]; Marfan syndrome accounted for 1.5% of all cases[1]. AD has variable manifestations, of which acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is rare, especially among younger patients. However, misdiagnosis of AD as AMI and subsequent thrombolysis can be a catastrophe. It is essential and challenging to differentiate AD from AMI. We present a 28-year-old man with acute inferior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) that was later found to have type A AD caused by Marfan syndrome.

CASE PRESENTATION

Chief complaints

A 28-year-old man presented to our emergency department with acute left side chest pain accompanied by palpitation and sweating.

History of present illness

The patient’s symptoms started 60 min ago.

History of past illness

The patient had no relevant past history.

Personal and family history

No significant personal or family history was identified.

Physical examination

Vital signs showed a blood pressure of 170/132 mmHg and heart rate of 70 beats per minute.

Laboratory examinations

The laboratory results showed a serum troponin T level of 0.01 ng/mL and a D-dimer level of 0.10 µg/mL.

Imaging examinations

Twelve lead electrocardiograms (ECGs) showed ST-segment elevation in leads II, III, and aVF and deep reciprocal ST depression in leads I and aVL (Figure 1A). Chest X-rays showed scoliosis (Figure 1B). Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) showed mild inferior wall hypokinesia and moderate aortic regurgitation.

Figure 1 Imaging examinations. A: Twelve lead electrocardiogram showing ST-segment elevation in leads II, III, and aVF and deep reciprocal ST depression in leads I and aVL; B: Chest X-rays showing scoliosis (arrow); C and D: Coronary angiography showing an eccentric stenosis in the proximal segment of right coronary artery (arrow).

Under the impression of STEMI, the patient was sent promptly for emergent coronary angiography. The initial attempt to engage the right coronary ostium failed. Finally, right coronary angiography was performed using a multipurpose catheter, and it revealed the anomalous origin of the right coronary artery (RCA) as well as eccentric stenosis of the proximal segment where neither a thrombus nor dissection flap was seen (Figure 1C and D). Subsequent computed tomography angiography (CTA) revealed irregularities in the ascending aortic intima with a concomitant linear low-density shadow, which was highly suspected of thrombosis from type A AD. (Figure 2A and B).

Figure 2 Computed tomography angiography results. A: Focal aortic intramural thrombosis on axial aortic computed tomography angiography (CTA) (arrow); B: Focal aortic intramural thrombosis on sagittal aortic CTA (arrow); C: Full recovery of the aorta.

The RCA originated from the junction of the left and right coronary sinus above the ostium of the left coronary artery. An extended aneurysm of the ascending aortic root (58 mm in diameter) and avulsion of the aortic wall accompanied by localized intramural thrombosis close to the ostium of the RCA were observed with direct visualization during the operation.

FINAL DIAGNOSIS

With a history of pneumothorax, diastolic murmur in the aortic area, thumb sign, wrist sign, pectus excavatum, scoliosis, and myopia 4 diopter, the patient was diagnosed with Marfan syndrome.

TREATMENT

The patient underwent a Bentall operation with replacement of the ascending aorta and the aortic valve.

OUTCOME AND FOLLOW-UP

The patient fully recovered and was discharged 13 d after the operation. The aortic CTA proved a full recovery at the 2-year follow-up (Figure 2C).

DISCUSSION

In this case, STEMI was associated with an unusual etiology, type A AD, which was induced by Marfan syndrome. AD is one of the leading cardiovascular causes of death, with an incidence of 4.3/100000-4.4/100000 per year[1,2] and in-hospital mortality of 24.4%-27.4%[3,4]. The presentations of AD can mimic AMI in terms of both symptoms and ECG findings. Additionally, coronary involvement is present in 10%-15% of patients with AD[5]. The proposed mechanisms of AMI due to AD were: (1) Compression by a false lumen or hematoma; (2) Ostium obstruction by an intimal flap; (3) Coronary artery dissection; (4) Coronary artery spasm; or (5) Avulsion[6]. Reperfusion therapy along with misdiagnosis, especially thrombolysis, may lead to catastrophic outcomes[7,8]. Therefore, it is essential to identify AMI that was induced by type A AD and not coronary thrombosis-associated plaque rupture[9,10].

For the 28-year-old man, the few risk factors for atherosclerosis, accompanied by physical signs of Marfan syndrome, provided clues to suggest AD over AMI. The Framingham Heart Study[11] suggested that the 10-year incidence of MI was as high as 51.1/1000 in young male patients, making it more challenging to differentiate AD from AMI in the first place. However, the individuals with increased MI risk had a higher prevalence of smoking and family history of premature CHD and hyperlipidemia[6,12]. For this patient, who lacked cardiovascular risk factors, the AD risk score was reviewed as 2 (high risk) based on high-risk predisposing conditions and examination features[13]. In the IRAD study[14], AD patients younger than 40 years of age were less likely to have a prior history of hypertension (34% vs 72%) or atherosclerosis (1% vs 30%) but more likely to have Marfan syndrome (50% vs 2%) than those who were older. In summary, it is essential to be aware of AD in patients at low risk for atherosclerosis who present with suspected AMI, especially in younger adults.

The outstanding feature of this patient on TTE was the extended ascending aorta dimensions and moderate aortic regurgitation. The typical feature of AD on TTE is an intimal flap separating two lumina. Aortic regurgitation and pericardial effusion are also present in AD[5]. Aortic regurgitation occurred in 40%-76% of cases of type A AD. Possible mechanisms are dilation of the aortic annulus secondary to dilation of the ascending aorta[15]. Naturally, the absence of an intimal flap on TTE alone is less reliable for ruling out AD.

In this case, we found it initially difficult to engage the right coronary ostium and finally revealed eccentric stenosis of the proximal segment of the RCA with an anomalous origin. In a study by Wang et al[16], increased resistance while advancing the diagnostic catheter was felt in 60% of cases with STEMI secondary to AD. To a large extent, ostium involvement of the left or RCA is also suggestive of aortic root dissection. In addition, Huang et al[17] found a marked pressure difference between the radial artery and the ascending aorta, suggesting AD. We propose that difficulty in engaging coronary ostium or detection of proximal eccentric stenosis of the coronary artery could be suggestive of type A AD.

CONCLUSION

Generally, it is challenging to differentiate AD from AMI. In the emergency department, AD should be the principal differential diagnosis in patients with chest pain, especially in those with few risk factors for atherosclerosis. Suspicion of Marfan syndrome increases the possibility of AD over AMI. Difficulty in engaging the coronary artery or the presence of proximal eccentric stenosis raises suspicion of type A AD.