Letter to the Editor

Acute Myocardial Infarction in a 14-year-old Male with Normal Coronary Arteries

Authors: Ersan Tatli, MD, Huseyin Surucu, MD, Ozcelik Fatih, MD

Abstract

To the Editor:


Acute myocardial infarction may occur when the coronary arteries are normal or nearly normal. In patients with normal coronary arteries, there is strong evidence for the participation of thrombus formation in the pathogenesis of myocardial infarction. Coronary artery spasm may also play a role in initiating coronary occlusion and infarction. There is strong evidence to suggest that smoking is an important predisposing risk factor for myocardial infarction in the presence of normal coronary arteries. We report a case of acute myocardial infarction in a young patient, with smoking implicated as a precipitating factor. This case illustrates the relationship between cigarette smoking and myocardial infarction in the absence of coronary artery disease.

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