MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION IN AN INFANT WITH TRANSPOSITION OF THE GREAT VESSELS

Abstract

In complete transposition of the great vessels, the aorta arises from the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery from the left ventricle. This congenital anomaly is incompatible with survival unless there is a septal defect which allows mixture of arterial and venous blood. The case reported here is of particular interest because an electrocardiogram taken a few hours before death showed the pattern of an impending anterior myocardial infarction. This, as far as could be determined, has not been previously reported in a 7-week-old infant with complete transposition of the great vessels. Report of a Case In a male infant who was born at St. Mary's Hospital on March 27, 1957, marked cyanosis appeared soon after birth. X-ray of the chest showed no evidence of pathology. An electrocardiogram taken two days after birth (fig. 1) was not definitely abnormal. A systolic mumur was heard over the precordium. The infant made