Acute myocardial infarction presenting as suspected alcohol intoxication: A case report

Introduction: Acute myocardial infarction may present atypically, making timely diagnosis challenging, particularly in prehospital settings where the clinical presentation may mimic other conditions, such as alcohol intoxication. Case Report: An Emergency Medical Service (EMS) team was dispatched to evaluate a male patient found lying on the street with suspected alcohol intoxication. Upon arrival, the patient denied alcohol consumption and reported a brief loss of consciousness accompanied by chest pain. Following history taking and physical examination, an electrocardiogram (ECG) was performed. The ECG demonstrated ST-segment elevation in leads II, III and aVF, along with ST-segment depression in leads I, aVR, aVL, V1 and V2, leading to the diagnosis of acute inferior wall myocardial infarction. Appropriate therapy was administered, and the patient was transported under continuous cardiac monitoring directly to the catheterisation laboratory. Conclusion: Careful and comprehensive patient evaluation, even in public settings, is essential to prevent life-threatening conditions from being overlooked and to ensure appropriate patient management.