Acute myocardial infarction in a young elite cyclist: a missed opportunity

Abstract

A 27-year-old elite-level professional cyclist presented to the emergency department with a 6-hour history of chest pain and vomiting after prematurely aborting a competitive event. ECG demonstrated anterior ST segment elevation myocardial infarction, and blood tests revealed a grossly elevated high-sensitivity troponin T. Emergent coronary angiography confirmed the presence of a thrombus in the mid-left anterior descending artery with possible spontaneous coronary artery dissection. The patient recovered well following balloon angioplasty and thrombus aspiration, despite delayed recognition, invasive investigation and intervention.