Electrocardiographic changes in right ventricular metastatic cardiac tumor mimicking acute ST elevation myocardial infarction: A case of misdiagnosis

Vahit Demir; Yasar Turan; Hüseyin Ede; Siho Hidayet; Mustafa F. Erkoç

doi:10.1016/j.tjem.2018.07.001

Vahit Demir¹, Yasar Turan¹, Hüseyin Ede¹, Siho Hidayet¹, Mustafa F. Erkoç²

¹Department of Cardiology, Medical Faculty of Bozok University, Adnan Menderes Bulvarı No:44, 66020, Yozgat, Turkey
²Department of Radiology, Medical Faculty of Bozok University, Adnan Menderes Bulvarı No:44, 66020, Yozgat, Turkey

Abstract

Introduction: In patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), minimizing the reperfusion time is the goal of therapy worldwide. However, the differential diagnosis is critical and when a patient is encountered with chest pain and ST elevation, STEMI should not be the only diagnosis considered. By detailed history and focused physical examination, it is possible to avoid a mistaken diagnosis.

Case presentation: In this report, we present a case of a male patient with tongue cancer and accompanying myocardial metastasis that causes electrocardiographic changes, who was initially misdiagnosed with ST elevation myocardial infarction.

Conclusion: Here, we reported a case of metastatic cancer in the heart which was initially diagnosed as acute myocardial infarction. Echocardiography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the heart were used accordingly to confirm the myocardial metastasis.