Unusual case of myocardial injury induced by Escherichia coli sepsis

• Main Authors: Gaetano Gentile, Ester Meles, Claudio Carbone, Edoardo Cantù, Stefano Maggiolini
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: PAGEPress Publications 2015-12-01
• Series: Monaldi Archives for Chest Disease
• Subjects: myocarditis; myocardial injury; myocardial dysfunction; endotoxin; lipopolysaccharide; sepsis
• Online Access: https://www.monaldi-archives.org/index.php/macd/article/view/279

The typical symptoms and signs of myocardial infarction are well known. Alterations in electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiography or biochemical markers of myocardial necrosis are usually helpful to confirm the diagnosis. Some of these features, however, also occur in myocarditis, which is a potential differential diagnosis. We describe an unusual case of bacterial sepsis due to Escherichia coli that caused myocardial damage (myocarditis) with ECG changes mimicking acute myocardial infarction. The possible pathophysiological mechanisms of myocardial injury in sepsis are also reviewed.