Association of Acute Pancreatitis and Myocardial Infarction: Is the Heart Victim or Culprit? – A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Acute pancreatitis can be associated with electrical changes mimicking acute coronary syndrome with normal coronary arteries. The association of acute pancreatitis with ST-segment elevation and elevated cardiac enzymes has been reported in few observations. The pathophysiological mechanisms of this association remain poorly understood. We report the case of a 63-year-old woman presenting with chest pain, changes in the electrocardiogram and elevated cardiac enzymes with normal coronary arteries associated with acute pancreatitis. Stress cardiomyopathy or Takotsubo syndrome associated with acute pancreatitis was the most likely diagnosis in our case. Stress cardiomyopathy should be considered a possibility in case of patients with acute pancreatitis who present with clinical signs suggestive of acute coronary syndrome.