Plaque, Prodromes, and Personalized Care: A Case Report Reframing Left Main Coronary Artery Occlusion in Females

TL;DR

This case report describes a female patient with a severe heart condition misdiagnosed initially, highlighting the need for better recognition of atypical symptoms in women.

Contribution

The paper emphasizes the importance of sex-specific approaches in diagnosing and treating acute coronary syndrome in females.

Findings

The patient presented with atypical symptoms leading to delayed diagnosis of left main coronary artery occlusion.

Timely intervention with a stent and IABP support stabilized the patient but could not prevent mortality.

Atrial fibrillation complicated diagnosis and management, underscoring the need for personalized care.

Abstract

Occlusion of the left main coronary artery (LMCA) is a highly lethal cause of myocardial infarction (MI), often referred to as the “widowmaker” due to its rapid progression and high mortality rate. Prompt diagnosis and intervention are crucial, although frequently delayed, particularly in females who tend to present with atypical symptoms. We report the case of a 57-year-old woman who arrived at the emergency department with severe epigastric pain and distress that progressed into altered mental status, initially prompting evaluation for gastrointestinal pathology. Her condition rapidly progressed to cardiogenic shock, with persistent hypotension, tachycardia, and new-onset atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response, despite no prior history of arrhythmia. Initial laboratory testing revealed elevated cardiac biomarkers and metabolic acidosis, and electrocardiogram (ECG) findings concerning for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Emergent coronary angiography revealed a 99% thrombotic occlusion of the LMCA. The patient underwent successful placement of a drug-eluting stent and initiation of intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) support, leading to hemodynamic stabilization and transfer to a tertiary care center for advanced cardiac management. Despite these interventions, the patient expired due to complications of her acute MI. This case highlights the diagnostic and clinical challenges associated with LMCA occlusion, particularly in females whose symptoms often deviate from classical presentations. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) even in the absence of chest pain, especially when patients exhibit signs of hemodynamic instability or arrhythmia. The presence of atrial fibrillation further complicated both the clinical picture and management strategy. Timely recognition, rapid activation of a STEMI protocol, and emergent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were instrumental in stabilizing this patient for transport. More broadly, this case underscores the ongoing need for sex-specific approaches in cardiovascular medicine and reinforces the importance of early, personalized intervention strategies in high-risk presentations.

Figures