ECG changes in a 25-year-old woman with hypocalcemia due to hypoparathyroidism. Hypocalcemia mimicking acute myocardial infarction

Abstract

The case of a 25-year-old woman presenting with chest pain, ECG changes, and laboratory findings suggestive of myocardial infarction is reported. Cardiac catheterization showed impaired left ventricular performance but otherwise normal coronary arteries. Laboratory analyses revealed primary hypoparathyroidism, and supplementation with calcium and vitamin D(3) was initiated. There was subsequent improvement in laboratory findings as well as echocardiographically determined left ventricular performance. Thereafter, the patient remained asymptomatic. Apart from some persisting ECG repolarization disturbances, there was complete normalization of the initial changes. This case demonstrates a combination of clinical, blood biochemical, and ECG findings mimicking acute myocardial infarction.