Acute myocardial infarction from embolization of Lambl's excrescences: A case report

Abstract

While coronary artery embolism remains an infrequent cause of myocardial infarction (MI), it may present in patients at otherwise low risk for coronary artery disease. When clinicians apply typical risk stratification in these cases, they may be led away from a full evaluation for acute coronary syndrome (ACS). A diagnosis of MI in an otherwise healthy patient should prompt consideration of embolic sources, including Lambl's excrescences (LEs), and echocardiographic evaluation may be necessary to make a final diagnosis. We present a case of LEs in an otherwise healthy 43-year-old male presenting with chest pain and elevated cardiac enzymes, and also review the cases of this rare event found in the literature.

Keywords: Cardiology; Chest pain; Lambl's excrescences; Mitral valve; Myocardial infarction; Troponin.