Acute Pancreatitis with Electrocardiographic Changes Mimicking Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Diagnostic Conundrum.
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Vol. 13 No. 2 : 2018 (195-201)
Abstract
Electrocardiographic abnormalities can be associated with acute pancreatitis. However, data regarding the actual causative factor still remains elusive. Many previous cases were reported on non-specific ST and T wave abnormalities concurrent with acute pancreatitis but rarely with an increasing trend of cardiac markers. We describe the case of a 70-year-old female who presented with one such conundrum. ur patient had typical presentation of acute pancreatitis but had dynamic ECG changes with markedly increased cardiac markers. Subsequently after initiation of treatment for acute pancreatitis and observation for the course of several days, the ECG returned to the baseline as pre admission. This substantiates the fact that acute pancreatitis can mimic both biochemical and electrical manifestation of an acute coronary syndrome. Thus, Emergency Physicians should consider acute pancreatitis as a possible diagnosis in patients who present with abnormal electrocardiograms.
Keywords :
acute coronary syndrome,
acute pancreatitis,
diagnosis,
Correspondance Address
Dr. Shamala Nair. Department of Emergency Medicine,
Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Yaacob Latiff, Bandar Tun Razak, 56000, Cheras,
Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia. Tel: +6016-3635092 Email: sham_128@outlook.com
