Acute myocardial infarction in adolescents: reappraisal of underlying mechanisms

A 21-year-old male was admitted to the hospital because of pain in the middle of his chest, radiating to his left arm and between the scapulae. He felt a tingling sensation in his arm, fingers and lips and had a sore feeling in his jaw. The patient perspired heavily and he was very short of breath. In the previous 2 months, the sore feeling in his jaw and arm had also occurred intermittently. He had no medical history. In the previous 2 years, the patient had smoked 15 cigarettes a day. Cardiovascular disease at a younger age was present in his family. His blood pressure was 128/81 mm Hg. The patient had a body mass index of 34 and on his abdomen pronounced striae distensae were visible. The electrocardiogram showed sinus rhythm with transmural ischaemia characterised by ST elevation in the anteroseptal leads and reciprocal ST depression at the inferior leads (Fig. 1). During coronary angiography, a complete occlusion was visible, at the ostium of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) with collaterals from the right coronary artery (Fig. 2a). A percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was performed. A drug-eluting stent was placed in the LAD (Fig. 2b). Afterwards, cardiac ultrasound showed reasonable left ventricular function with an ejection fraction of 45%. The patient was discharged in a good clinical condition, with medication and lifestyle advice.

A 27-year-old male was admitted to the hospital with complaints of pain in the chest radiating to both arms. In addition, the patient was nauseous and vomited. The complaints began a few minutes after he had performed motocross earlier the same day. The patient had no medical history. Cardiovascular disease at a young age did not occur in his family. He had never smoked, occasionally drank alcohol and did not use drugs. The patient had a blood pressure of 135/88 mm Hg. A troponin T test was negative; the C‑reactive protein level was low. His electrocardiogram showed a sinus rhythm with an intermediate heart axis and a prolonged QRS complex (124 ms) (Fig. 3a). Suddenly, ventricular fibrillation developed which required immediate resuscitation. After 10 min of resuscitation, a sinus rhythm was present with adequate cardiac output. The electrocardiogram showed precordial ST-segment elevation (Fig. 3b). Cardiac ultrasound showed a left ventricle ejection fraction of 56% with anterior wall movement disorders. Coronary angiography was performed and revealed a completely occluded LAD with no further signs of angiographic atherosclerosis (Fig. 4a). The operator refrained from further intravascular coronary imaging because of the life-threatening clinical condition and the fact that it would not have any effect on the treatment strategy in this young subject. The LAD blockade was treated with two drug-eluting stents (Fig. 4b). Hereafter, the patient was stabilised. He recovered in 4 days and was discharged from hospital.

Development of coronary atherosclerosis at a young age is correlated with the presence of conventional cardiovascular risk factors. Examples are smoking, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, overweight, inactivity and stress [1]. Smoking is one of the most important risk factors. Frequent exposure to cigarette smoke stimulates the release of catecholamines, which cause damage to the endothelial cells. This can lead to vascular intima dysfunction already at a young age. This process involves alternating low-level cholesterol deposition and platelet aggregation (plaque formation). The lipid core within this plaque formation may rupture. This results in release of vasoactive factors leading to acute vascular occlusion. Genetic predisposition also increases the risk of premature atherosclerosis, such as in the case of a mutation in the factor V Leiden gene or genetic hypercholesterolaemia [7]. Treatment of acute MI due to premature atherosclerosis consists of protocolised revascularisation by means of primary PCI, followed by cardiovascular risk management on risk factors.

In MI of non-atherosclerotic causes the mechanism of coronary occlusion differs [1, 2]. This may result from various underlying disorders that are accompanied by unconventional risk factors in some cases, such as pregnancy and direct contact sports. In Tab. 1, an overview of non-atherosclerotic causes is depicted. For example, the occlusion can be induced by coronary spasms, embolisation through coronary arteries due to endocarditis or secondary thrombus formation. Development of secondary thrombosis could be explained by the Virchow triad (Fig. 5; [8]). This theory describes that development of thrombosis that can be triggered by three factors: stasis of blood flow, endothelial damage and hypercoagulability or abnormal blood composition. For example, patients with the nephrotic syndrome have an increased risk of developing thrombosis because of an increased coagulation state. Coronary spasms can also cause an increased risk of secondary thrombosis because these spasms induce minor damage to the vascular endothelium and activate coagulation. Both cocaine and binge drinking can cause coronary spasms [1, 9, 10].

An occlusion of the coronary arteries could also be caused by damaged vascular endothelium after blunt trauma to the chest [20]. This may occur during direct physical contact and ball sports. The damage to the vascular endothelium may induce locally increased coagulation with formation of thrombosis. In addition, a blunt trauma to the chest can also cause coronary spasms or a rupture of an already existing plaque [20].

We argue that deceleration trauma may also result in acute MI. This might have been the cause in the second case. In this case, the patient repeatedly performed jumps with his motor cycle. Following these high jumps, the motocross bike lands with a relatively high impact. This might have induced tearing of the vascular endothelium and subsequently induced intraluminal thrombosis. Also, vascular ruptures, spasms, coronary artery embolism or displacement of an atherosclerotic plaque may occur in the case of deceleration trauma. Additionally, relative dehydration due to strenuous exercise could have increased the viscosity of the blood. This could also have contributed to acute red thrombus formation [21].

In young women, acute MI is rare because of the protective effect of oestrogens [22]. However, there are a few exceptions. First, the risk of developing acute MI is increased during and after pregnancy in the postpartum period (up to 356 days after delivery). This is due to several physiological changes. During pregnancy, there is an increase in blood volume of 140–150% and increased levels of factor VIII and von Willebrand factor. These are essential coagulation proteins. Simultaneously, levels of protein S are decreased (a vitamin-K-dependent anticoagulant). The change in blood composition decreases the risk of bleeding during childbirth, but increases the risk of developing thrombosis and subsequently the risk of acute MI [16]. Also, there is evidence that mucoid degeneration of the intima in the coronary arteries due to pregnancy could lead to coronary ischaemia [17]. Use of the contraceptive pill combined with smoking increases the risk of coronary ischaemia in women. Moreover, spontaneous dissection of the coronary arteries is more prevalent in women compared to men [19, 23].

In addition, it is important to realise that in some cases ST-segment elevations on an electrocardiogram may indicate another serious condition. This is called coronary mimicry, or the electrographic simulation of acute MI [24, 25]. The electrocardiogram may show ST elevations, negative T waves and QS complexes. Examples of diseases that could mimic STEMI are cerebrovascular accidents, a pneumothorax, pulmonary embolism, peri-myocarditis, pyelonephritis, pancreatitis, hyperkalaemia and metabolic acidosis.

In cases of acute MI with a non-atherosclerotic cause, treatment should be individualised with regard to the underlying mechanism. For example, coronary vascular spasm should be treated with non-specific vasodilators (e.g. nitrates) [26]. Adequate lifestyle advice should be provided, such as discouraging the use of cocaine and drinking large amounts of alcohol. In coronary mimicry, the underlying illness should be treated. It is important to realise that protocolised revascularisation by means of primary PCI may be fatal due to, for example, a delay in appropriate treatment or administration of medication with adverse effects. For example, the use of anticoagulants in cases of a haemorrhagic cerebrovascular accident might lead to life-threatening situations.