Acetaminophen-Induced Type II Kounis Syndrome: A Case Report Highlighting Diagnostic Challenges and the Utility of a Physician-Staffed Rapid Response Car

TL;DR

An 85-year-old man developed a rare heart condition after taking acetaminophen, and a mobile medical team helped save his life by acting quickly.

Contribution

Highlights the role of physician-staffed rapid response cars in diagnosing and managing rare drug-induced heart emergencies.

Findings

Acetaminophen triggered Type II Kounis Syndrome with total coronary artery blockage.

A rapid response car enabled early STEMI diagnosis and timely emergency treatment.

Advanced pre-hospital systems can resolve therapeutic conflicts in Kounis Syndrome.

Abstract

Kounis syndrome (KS) is a clinical condition where anaphylaxis induces acute coronary syndrome. This report describes a case of Type II KS in an 85-year-old male, triggered by intravenous acetaminophen, resulting in total occlusion of the right coronary artery. The intervention of a physician-staffed rapid response car (RRC) facilitated early pre-hospital diagnosis of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). This enabled an integrated transition to emergency percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The case demonstrates the utility of advanced pre-hospital systems in managing the therapeutic conflicts associated with KS.

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