Acute myocardial infarction and anorexia nervosa

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: A case of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in a patient with anorexia nervosa is presented. METHOD: Clinlcal records, electrocardiogram, echocardiogram and coronary angiogram data of a patient with anorexia nervosa, presenting with AMI were evaluated. A Pubmed literature search was used to review cardiac complications of anorexia nervosa. RESULTS: The patient presented with an anterior ST elevation AMI. She underwent emergent coronary angiography with successful reperfusion of a 100% occluded proximal left anterior descending coronary artery. DISCUSSION: Anorexia nervosa is an eatlng disorder affectlng mainly female adolescents. Eating disorders carry the highest mortality rate compared to other psychiatric conditions (Caslero and Frishman, Cardiol Rev 14, 227-231, 2006). It is reported that 80% of patients with an eating disorder are affected by a cardiac complication. Sudden cardiac death secondary to arrhythmia is often the cause of death in these patlents (Caslero and Frishman, Cardiol Rev 14, 227-231, 2006). AMI is rarely described as a cardiac presentation in this patient population.