Symmetrical Peripheral Gangrene in Myocardial Infarction

Abstract

SYMMETRICAL peripheral gangrene is not a commonplace event, and yet the initiating factors may vary considerably. Frequently, it complicates severe cases of frostbite, ergotism and ball-valve thrombus with mitral stenosis. It is rarely secondary to congenital cardiac defect,1 pneumonia,2 myocardial infarction,3 4 5 paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia6 and severe congestive heart failure.7 The present case is one of acute myocardial infarction followed by symmetrical peripheral gangrene.Case ReportA 58-year-old housewife entered the hospital complaining of severe substernal pain radiating to both axillas. The pain, sudden in onset, initially was felt the preceding night while she was in bed. It had persisted unabated . . .