Myocardial infarction associated with pseudoephedrine use and acute streptococcal infection in a boy with normal coronary arteries

Abstract

A 16-year-old boy presented to the emergency department with chest pain. He had no history of other health problems and did not smoke. Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in an adolescent boy with normal coronary arteries, associated with pseudoephedrine use and acute streptococcal infection, is reported. The diagnosis of AMI was based on typical electrocardiographic signs, enzyme changes and echocardiographic evaluation. Coronary vasospasm associated with pseudoephedrine use, endothelial dysfunction and prothrombotic state caused by acute streptococcal infection may be the mechanisms responsible for AMI in this case. The possibility of AMI should be considered even in very young adolescents that have acute streptococcal pharyngeal infection, and it is important to obtain a complete history of the drugs used.