Myocardial Infarction Due to Giant Cell Arteritis: A Case Report and Literature Review

• Main Authors: Long-Wei Lin, Shoei-Shen Wang, Chia-Tung Shun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 2007-04-01
• Series: Kaohsiung Journal of Medical Sciences
• Subjects: coronary vascular disease; giant cell arteritis; myocardial infarction
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1607551X09703973

Giant cell arteritis occurs mainly in the cranial arteries, especially in the temporal area, and rarely in the coronary arteries. Here, we present a case of coronary artery giant cell arteritis in a 51-year-old woman who complained of atypical chest pain. Radionuclide angiography showed dilated left ventricle with global hypokinesia. Despite medical treatment, she suffered progressive heart failure and finally was given a heart transplant. The pathologic examination revealed myocardial infarction due to coronary giant cell arteritis. Unusual giant cell arteritis should be considered in the differential diagnoses of myocardial infarction.