Acute Pancreatitis Simulating Myocardial Infarction: A Challenging Case

Cureus. 2023 Apr 18;15(4):e37769. doi: 10.7759/cureus.37769. eCollection 2023 Apr.

Abstract

Acute pancreatitis is an inflammatory condition with varying local and systemic complications and variable severity. Although rare, cardiovascular complications induced by acute pancreatitis are rarely described in the literature. Epigastric pain with acute pancreatitis often simulates electrocardiographic changes in the absence of coronary artery abnormalities, resulting in a diagnostic dilemma for optimal treatment and management. We underline a case of acute pancreatitis complicated by acute coronary syndrome in a patient who presented with chest heaviness, dyspnea, nausea, and worsening epigastric pain associated with vomiting. Clinical and laboratory evaluations and using imaging modalities were suggestive of acute pancreatitis mimicking myocardial infarction (MI) in the absence of coronary artery abnormalities.

Keywords: acute coronary syndrome; acute pancreatitis; acute pancreatitis complication; mi; myocardial infarction.

Publication types

  • Case Reports