Myocardial bridge as a cause of thrombus formation and myocardial infarction in a young athlete

• Published in: Clinical cardiology (Mahwah, N.J.) Vol. 20; no. 12; pp. 1032 - 1036
• Main Authors: Agirbasli, Mehmet, Martin, Gregory S., Bunker Stout, J., Jennings, Henry S., Lea, John W., Dixon, John H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Wiley Periodicals, Inc 01.12.1997; Wiley
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Blood and lymphatic vessels; Cardiology. Vascular system; Coronary Angiography; Coronary Thrombosis - diagnostic imaging; Coronary Thrombosis - etiology; Coronary Thrombosis - physiopathology; Coronary Vessel Anomalies - complications; Coronary Vessel Anomalies - diagnostic imaging; Coronary Vessel Anomalies - surgery; Diseases of the peripheral vessels. Diseases of the vena cava. Miscellaneous; Electrocardiography; Humans; infarction; Male; Medical sciences; myocardial bridge; Myocardial Infarction - diagnostic imaging; Myocardial Infarction - etiology; Myocardial Infarction - physiopathology; Short Communication; Short Communications; Sports; thrombus; Human; Infarct; Thrombus; Young adult; Etiopathogenesis; Myocardium; Cardiovascular disease; Diagnosis; Athlete; Coronary heart disease; Myocardial disease
• ISSN: 0160-9289; 1932-8737
• DOI: 10.1002/clc.4960201213

We report here a young male athlete who had an acute myocardial infarction after strenuous exercise. Coronary angiography clearly demonstrated thrombus formation within a prominent myocardial bridge. Periarterial resection surgery was performed, which resulted in resolution of the angiographic “milking” effect of muscle bridge. Our observation. along with previous reports, suggests that myocardial bridges should be added to the list of known causes of sudden death or myocardial infarction in young persons after strenuous exercise. Thrombus formation within a myocardial bridge may be a potential mechanism whereby this anatomic curiosity may cause a tragic clinical event.