Myocardial bridging as a cause of acute myocardial infarction: a case report

The major coronary arteries are located in the sub-epicardial region [1]. Localization of a coronary arterial segment in the myocardial tissue is termed myocardial bridging. In these patients, there is a temporary systolic coronary arterial luminal narrowing. Symptomatic patients are most often middle-aged men with typical or atypical chest pain, either related or unrelated to exercise [1‐3]. Myocardial bridging usually has a benign prognosis, but some cases associated with myocardial ischemia, infarction, and sudden death have been reported [1‐5].

A 33 year-old-man was admitted to our emergency department complaining of 5 hours of severe crushing chest pain. He had smoking history as a risk factor for coronary artery disease and had had atypical chest pain for two years. He had also made blood donations of about ten units within the last two years. His chest pain had started after the completion of the most recent blood donation in a health center. On physical examination, paleness and cold sweating were noted. His systolic and diastolic blood pressures were 110 and 80 mmHg respectively, and his heart rate was 90 /minute.

The electrocardiography showed sinus rhythm, and was consistent with an acute anteroseptal myocardial infarction (above 2 mm ST elevation anterior V1-V4 precordial leads) and reciprocal ST depressions in DII, DIII and aVF (figure. 1). He was given: oral acetylsalicylic acid, 300 mg per day; 5000 U bolus standard heparin, 1000 U/hour infusion; metoprolol, 5 mg per day; and nytroglicerin infusion, 10 μg/minute. At the same time, blood tests were carried out. Cardiac troponin and myoglobin were slightly elevated, but CK-MB was within normal limits.

We decided to perform primary percutanous intervention (PCI). Coronary angiography and left ventriculography were performed. The left coronary system was imaged at left and right oblique, right cranial and caudal and anteroposterior cranial positions. Significant coronary artery systolic luminal narrowing was observed in the mid segment of the left anterior descending coronary artery at left anterior oblique cranial position on coronary angiogram. (figure 2 and figure 3). The right coronary artery was normal. The left ventricular angiography showed apical and antero-lateral hypokinesia. PCI was cancelled and medical follow up was decided.

The patient was transferred to coronary care unit for medical treatment. Since his hemoglobin level was 6 mg/dl, a blood sample was drawn to investigate the cause of this profound anemia. Hemathologic investigation concluded that the only cause of this profound anemia was excessive and inappropriate blood donation. Two units of package cell were given to the patient within three hours, and a further four units of package cell were given after six hours. A normal hemaglobin level was achieved after ten hours. Three hours after the patient being admitted to the emergency department, his chest pain had completely disappeared, ST elevations had come to an isoelectric line and frequent ventricular extra-systoles were observed on the monitor. Myocardial enzyme values taken after twenty-four hours were elevated to a level three times greater than normal. At the one year follow up visit, our patient was healthy and had no cardiac complaints.

Myocardial bridging can be seen as an incidental finding at coronary arteriography. Previous studies have reported its prevalence at 0.5 to 33% of all cases [6]. Myocardial bridging rarely causes myocardial ischemia [7]. Also, it is often considered as a simple variant of the normal anatomy of coronary arteries. But previous reports have demonstrated its pathologic potential. Stable or unstable angina pectoris, acute myocardial infarction, complete atrioventricular block or sudden death associated with myocardial bridges have been described [8, 9].

It is well known that the main pathogenesis of acute coronary syndromes consists of atherosclerotic plaque disruption and thrombus formation [10]. However, in muscular bridging there is a temporary coronary luminal narrowing. If a patient has a endothelial injury, acute myocardial infartion may occur. Our patient had a smoking history, and nicotine could have damaged the endothelial structure at the bridged segment. Possible explanation of AMI in our patient could be endothelial injury, severe coronary spasm and finally thrombotic occlusion [11].

Primary percutanous revascularization was planned. However, no atherosclerotic plaque in the major coronary arteries was detected on coronary angiography. There was temporary systolic coronary arterial luminal narrowing at the mid-portion of LAD at LAO view. Therefore, we decided to follow the patient conservatively. We obtained an excellent result with blood transfusion. This is a case of acute myocardial infarction caused by coronary thrombosis in the setting of myocardial bridging. A possible association between myocardial bridging and acute myocardial infarction following excess blood donation could not be excluded. This is a report of a case of acute ischemic complication related to myocardial bridging of the LAD, which was resolved by appropriate blood transfusion, and acetylsalicilic acid, beta-blocker, nytroglicerin.

Myocardial bridging may cause acute myocardial infarction in various clinical conditions. Although the condition in this case caused profound anemia related acute myocardial infarction, its treatment and management was unusual. This report, together with those previously published, suggests that myocardial bridging may no longer be considered simply a benign variation of coronary anatomy.