Pseudo myocardial infarction – A condition in need to be redefined?

Summary 

Since the introduction of cardiac plasma troponin measurements, a significant number of patients were seen with chest pain, elevated troponin levels but no significant coronary artery disease. Pulmonary embolism, aortic valve disease, myocarditis, sepsis, trauma, arrythmias, stress cardiomyopathy and dilated cardiomyopathy stand among possible causes for this syndrome. In some cases, myocardial strain could be the mechanism underlying this phenomenon, since it is known that the stimulation of stretch-responsive integrins may lead to the release of cardiac troponin I. In the present text, a case is made in favour of classifying this syndrome, of chest pain with increased values for plasma cardiac troponin, with or without ECG changes, in the absence of definite myocardial infarction or coronary artery disease, as pseudo myocardial infarction (PMI). This constitutes a new definition for a concept with decades, formerly centered on clinical and electrocardiographic changes mimicking infarct. The case is based on the search of scientific truth, on avoidance of unnecessary cardiac examinations, on avoidance of unnecessary drug therapy and on avoidance of unnecessary legal liability. PMI should be seen as a working diagnosis, since a more definitive diagnosis can be reached at all time. It should also be seen as a heterogeneous group of patients – several different diseases and conditions can lead to this phenomenon. But it must certainly not be seen as a benign condition, since published studies point in a totally different direction.