Key result
Esophageal mass compressing the left atrium mimics acute anterolateral STEMI despite normal coronary arteries.
Why the study?
Pseudo-STEMI patterns can mimic acute myocardial infarction without coronary artery disease, complicating diagnosis and management in patients with esophageal carcinoma.
Case Report (n=1)
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Esophageal carcinoma compressing the left atrium can create a pseudo-STEMI ECG pattern, highlighting the need to recognize non-ischemic causes of ST-elevation to avoid unnecessary invasive procedures.
Background ST-elevation (STE) traditionally mandates emergent reperfusion, but "Pseudo-STEMI" patterns can mimic acute myocardial infarction (AMI) without coronary artery disease (CAD). Case Presentation A asymptomatic 59-year-old male with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma presented for pre-chemotherapy evaluation. ECG revealed persistent, profound anterolateral STE. Cardiac biomarkers, LVEF, and wall motion were normal. CT-coronary angiography ruled out CAD but identified a large esophageal mass compressing the left atrium. Conclusion Mechanical compression, viscerocardiac reflexes, or localized epicardial irritation caused this rare oncological mimicker. Recognizing benign STE patterns prevents hazardous, unnecessary invasive interventions and antithrombotic therapies in vulnerable cancer patients
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Raut et al. (2026) conducted a case report in Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma masquerading as acute myocardial infarction (n=1). Esophageal carcinoma (large esophageal mass) was evaluated. A large esophageal mass in a 59-year-old man compressed the left atrium, mimicking acute anterolateral myocardial infarction with profound ST-elevation despite normal coronary arteries.
Synapse has enriched 10 related papers. Consider them for comparative context: