Myocardial bridge as a cause of thrombus formation and myocardial infarction in a young athlete

Abstract

We report here a young male athlete who had an acute myocardial infarction after strenuous exercise. Coronary angiography clearly demonstrated thrombus formation within a prominent myocardial bridge. Periarterial resection surgery was performed, which resulted in resolution of the angiographic 'milking' effect of muscle bridge. Our observation, along with previous reports, suggests that myocardial bridges should be added to the list of known causes of sudden death or myocardial infarction in young persons after strenuous exercise. Thrombus formation within a myocardial bridge may be a potential mechanism whereby this anatomic curiosity may cause a tragic clinical event.