Inadvertent thrombolytic therapy for cardiovascular diseases masquerading as acute coronary thrombosis. 1993

J K Kahn
Michigan Heart and Vascular Institute, St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, Ann Arbor.

We report three cases of inadvertent thrombolytic administration to patients with cardiovascular diagnoses masquerading as acute coronary thrombosis presenting to tertiary care private hospital. Despite a final diagnosis of myocarditis, aortic dissection, and pericarditis, the initial presentation and electrocardiogram were believed to indicate an acute myocardial infarction due to coronary thrombosis. Intravenous thrombolytic agents were administered early in their presentation. Cardiac catheterization in two of the patients revealed normal coronary arteriography and in the third patient confirmed an aortic dissection. The patient with an aortic dissection died while the other two recovered without adverse consequences of the thrombolytic agents. Prior reports of five patients, treated with intravenous thrombolytic agents for suspected coronary thrombosis, who proved to have a final diagnosis of pericarditis or aortic dissection are reviewed. Death or tamponade occurred in four of five. The consequences of inadvertently administering intravenous thrombolytic agents to patients with nonthrombolytic cardiac disorders can be serious. If the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction due to coronary thrombosis is uncertain, serial electrocardiograms, bedside echocardiography, or urgent cardiac catheterization may be appropriate before administering these agents.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D009203 Myocardial Infarction NECROSIS of the MYOCARDIUM caused by an obstruction of the blood supply to the heart (CORONARY CIRCULATION). Cardiovascular Stroke,Heart Attack,Myocardial Infarct,Cardiovascular Strokes,Heart Attacks,Infarct, Myocardial,Infarction, Myocardial,Infarctions, Myocardial,Infarcts, Myocardial,Myocardial Infarctions,Myocardial Infarcts,Stroke, Cardiovascular,Strokes, Cardiovascular
D009205 Myocarditis Inflammatory processes of the muscular walls of the heart (MYOCARDIUM) which result in injury to the cardiac muscle cells (MYOCYTES, CARDIAC). Manifestations range from subclinical to sudden death (DEATH, SUDDEN). Myocarditis in association with cardiac dysfunction is classified as inflammatory CARDIOMYOPATHY usually caused by INFECTION, autoimmune diseases, or responses to toxic substances. Myocarditis is also a common cause of DILATED CARDIOMYOPATHY and other cardiomyopathies. Carditis,Myocarditides
D003937 Diagnosis, Differential Determination of which one of two or more diseases or conditions a patient is suffering from by systematically comparing and contrasting results of diagnostic measures. Diagnoses, Differential,Differential Diagnoses,Differential Diagnosis
D003951 Diagnostic Errors Incorrect or incomplete diagnoses following clinical or technical diagnostic procedures. Diagnostic Blind Spots,Errors, Diagnostic,Misdiagnosis,Blind Spot, Diagnostic,Blind Spots, Diagnostic,Diagnostic Blind Spot,Diagnostic Error,Error, Diagnostic,Misdiagnoses
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D000784 Aortic Dissection A tear in the inner layer of the AORTA leading to interstitial HEMORRHAGE, and splitting (dissecting) of the aortic TUNICA MEDIA layer. It typically begins with a tear in the TUNICA INTIMA layer. Aneurysm, Dissecting,Aortic Dissecting Aneurysm,Dissecting Aneurysm,Dissecting Aneurysm Aorta,Aneurysm Aorta, Dissecting,Aneurysm, Aortic Dissecting,Aorta, Dissecting Aneurysm,Aortic Dissecting Aneurysms,Aortic Dissections,Dissecting Aneurysm Aortas,Dissecting Aneurysm, Aortic,Dissecting Aneurysms,Dissection, Aortic
D001014 Aortic Aneurysm An abnormal balloon- or sac-like dilatation in the wall of AORTA. Aneurysm, Aortic,Aneurysms, Aortic,Aortic Aneurysms

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