Not all ST-segment changes are myocardial injury: hypercalcaemia-induced ST-segment elevation

BMJ Case Rep. 2015 Oct 13:2015:bcr2015211214. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2015-211214.

Abstract

ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction is an important, life-threatening diagnosis that requires quick diagnosis and management. We describe the case of an 83-year-old man with coronary artery disease, ischaemic cardiomyopathy with left ventricular ejection fraction of 15%, newly diagnosed multiple myeloma that had an initial ECG showing ST-segment elevation in anterior leads V1-3 and ST-segment depression in lateral leads concerning for an ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. Troponins were negative and his calcium was 3.55 mmol/L. It was thought that the ECG changes were not indicative of cardiac ischaemia but, rather, hypercalcaemia. He was treated with fluids, diuretics and zolendronic acid, with subsequent resolution of ST-segment changes. This case demonstrates that one must consider disease other than myocardial ischaemia as the culprit of ST-segment changes if physical examination and history do not point towards myocardial injury, as unnecessary invasive revascularisation procedures have inherent risks.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Bone Density Conservation Agents / administration & dosage
  • Brugada Syndrome / blood
  • Brugada Syndrome / drug therapy
  • Brugada Syndrome / physiopathology*
  • Cardiac Conduction System Disease
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Diphosphonates / administration & dosage
  • Diuretics / administration & dosage
  • Echocardiography
  • Electrocardiography
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Furosemide / administration & dosage
  • Humans
  • Hypercalcemia / diagnosis*
  • Hypercalcemia / drug therapy
  • Hypercalcemia / physiopathology*
  • Imidazoles / administration & dosage
  • Male
  • Multiple Myeloma / blood
  • Multiple Myeloma / diagnosis
  • Multiple Myeloma / physiopathology
  • Myocardial Ischemia / blood
  • Myocardial Ischemia / diagnosis*
  • Myocardial Ischemia / drug therapy
  • Point-of-Care Testing
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Zoledronic Acid

Substances

  • Bone Density Conservation Agents
  • Diphosphonates
  • Diuretics
  • Imidazoles
  • Zoledronic Acid
  • Furosemide