Left Anterior Descending Coronary T-wave Inversion Pattern (Wellens' Syndrome) Associated with Myopericarditis and a Normal Left Coronary Artery

Department

Cardiology

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

European Journal of Case Reports in Internal Medicine

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Wellens' syndrome is characterised by a history of chest pain with an abnormal electrocardiogram (EKG), demonstrating biphasic or deeply inverted T waves in leads V2-3 (may extend to involve all precordial and lateral limb leads - the type B Wellens' pattern). A Wellens' EKG pattern is considered highly specific for critical stenosis involving the ostial/proximal left anterior descending artery (LAD). However, there are no reported cases of an association of a Wellens' EKG pattern with myopericarditis. Here, we present such a rare case.

CASE DESCRIPTION: A thirty-one-year-old female with known essential hypertension and psoriatic arthritis presented with a constant, central chest pain radiating to the shoulders and back. The patient's physical examination was unremarkable at presentation other than elevated blood pressure at 170/68 mmHg. An EKG at presentation demonstrated deep symmetric T-wave inversions in anterolateral leads with elevated high-sensitivity troponin, and an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate. The patient was referred to the cardiac catheterisation laboratory for concerns of a Wellens' EKG pattern; however, invasive angiography demonstrated only obtuse marginal branch disease - no LAD disease was noted. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging confirmed the diagnosis of myopericarditis and absence of myocardial infarction. The patient was medically managed and discharged home in a stable condition.

CONCLUSION: In literature and established clinical practice, the Wellens' EKG pattern is considered highly concerning for critical ostial/proximal LAD stenosis. However, we now propose that myopericarditis may be considered in a differential diagnosis for this EKG pattern.

LEARNING POINTS: Wellens' syndrome is characterised by a history of chest pain with an abnormal electrocardiogram (EKG), demonstrating biphasic or deeply inverted T waves in leads V2-3.A Wellens' EKG pattern is considered highly specific for critical stenosis involving the ostial/proximal left anterior descending artery (LAD).Association of Wellens' pattern EKG has been described in association with various other pathologies; however, its association with acute myopericarditis has not been well described.

First Page

004525

DOI

10.12890/2024_004525

Volume

11

Issue

6

Publication Date

5-1-2024

PubMed ID

38846668

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