ABSTRACT
Churg-Strauss Syndrome (CSS) is a rare vasculitis with multiorgan involvement. Cardiac manifestations are common causing serious complications. We report a case of CSS masquerading as a non-ST elevation myocardial infarction with heart failure. CSS should be considered in the differential diagnosis of an acute coronary syndrome(ACS)with normal coronary arteries when history of asthma, peripheral eosinophilia and multisystemic involvement is present.
Subject(s)
Acute Coronary Syndrome/diagnosis , Churg-Strauss Syndrome/diagnosis , Acute Coronary Syndrome/physiopathology , Churg-Strauss Syndrome/physiopathology , Diagnosis, Differential , Echocardiography , Electrocardiography , Emergency Service, Hospital , Female , Heart/physiopathology , Humans , Middle Aged , Myocardial Infarction/diagnosis , Myocardial Infarction/physiopathologyABSTRACT
Bench press exercise, which involves repetitive lifting of weights to full arm extension while lying supine on a narrow bench, has been associated with complications ranging in acuity from simple pectoral muscle strain, to aortic and coronary artery dissection. A 39-year-old man, physically fit and previously asymptomatic, presented with acute chest pain following bench press exercise. Diagnostic evaluation led to the discovery of critical multivessel coronary occlusive disease, and subsequently, highly elevated levels of lipoprotein (a). Judicious use of ancillary testing may identify the presence of "high-risk" conditions in a seemingly "low-risk" patient. Emergency department evaluation of the young adult with acute chest pain must take into consideration an extended spectrum of potential etiologies, so as to best guide appropriate management.