Simultaneous Acute Anterior ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction and Acute Ischemic Stroke of Left Middle Cerebral Artery: A Case Report

Abstract

BACKGROUND Acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction and acute ischemic stroke are both life-threatening conditions with high risk for morbidity and mortality without timely intervention. This simultaneous event has been reported to be as rare as 0.009%. The treatments of both conditions individually have been well documented in the literature and guidelines, but when presenting concomitantly, it poses a unique therapeutic challenge. Immediate treatment of one condition can delay management or even have deleterious effects on the other condition. CASE REPORT We present the case of a 41-year-old female with simultaneous acute anterior ST-elevation myocardial infarction and acute left middle cerebral artery ischemic stroke. Due to a low National Institute of Health score she was not a candidate for endovascular treatment and received alteplase per acute ischemic stroke protocol with delayed percutaneous coronary intervention. She was eventually discharged to a long-term acute care facility for continued rehabilitation. CONCLUSIONS The co-existence of ST elevation myocardial infarction and acute ischemic stroke is rare, but when these 2 common conditions present simultaneously, it provides a unique therapeutic challenge. Although infrequent, this challenging scenario deserves more recognition and a discussion among the medical community.