Question

A 79-year-old male came to the emergency department of a local hospital complaining of weakness and left arm pain. He had had an episode of profound weakness, chest pain, and left arm pain the day before admission after his daily walk. He had a history of non-insulin dependant diabetes and unstable angina.

Cardiac enzymes

	11:30 am 9/10/2001	10 pm 9/10/2001
Total CK (30-200 U/L)	100	92
CK-MB	4	3
Total LD (80-180 U/L)	155	164
Troponin T (0-0.1 mg/L)	0.2	0.1

1. Do the symptoms and history of this patient suggest acute myocardial infarction?
2. Based on the preceding laboratory data, would this diagnosis be acute myocardial infarction? Why or why not?
3. What procedure that can be done to confirm this condition?

Answer 1

Yes,The symptoms and history of patient suggests Acute Myocardial Infarction. This is because, a patient with Acute Myocardial Infarction may experience chest pain, left arm pain weakness etc..

Based on the provided laboratory data, it can be a myocardial infarction. This is because Troponin T value is elevated in one reading ie, 0.2 mg/ L. Troponin levels are the main cardiac enzymes that helps in the diagnosis of MI. Any abnormal levels of Troponin indicates MI.

To confirm whether it is an MI or not an ECG can be taken. If ECG shows any ST segment elevation T wave abnormalities or pathological Q waves indicates MI.

Also, performing an Angiogram by cardiac catheterization helps in confirmation of Myocardial Infarction. It helps to visualise any blockage in the arteries