Published online Dec 26, 2021. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i36.11392
Peer-review started: July 1, 2021
First decision: July 26, 2021
Revised: July 27, 2021
Accepted: November 14, 2021
Article in press: November 14, 2021
Published online: December 26, 2021
Processing time: 175 Days and 0.7 Hours
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic progressive inflammatory disease that mainly affects the spine and sacroiliac joints. To the best of our knowledge, AS with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has rarely been reported. Here, we report an unusual case of AS with AMI in a young patient.
A 37-year-old man was admitted to the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology of our hospital on March 14, 2020, for low back pain. Further evaluation with clinical examinations, laboratory tests, and imaging resulted in a diagnosis of AS. Treatment with a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug and a tumor necrosis factor inhibitor partially improved his symptoms. However, his back pain persisted. After 6 wk of treatment, he was admitted to the emergency room of another hospital in this city for sudden-onset severe chest pain consistent with a diagnosis of AMI. Angiography revealed severe narrowing of the coronary arteries. Surgical placement of two coronary stents completely relieved his back pain.
AS can cause cardiovascular diseases, including AMI. It is important to consider the cardiovascular risks in the management of AS.
Core Tip: We described a case of a young man with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) who presented with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). In addition to treatment with a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug and a tumor necrosis factor inhibitor, stent placement completely relieved his back pain. This study highlights the possibility for AS to present with cardiovascular manifestations, including life-threatening AMI. Hence, it is important to consider the AS-related cardiovascular risk in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with back pain.