Open AccessReversible, regional ST‐segment elevation due to chylothorax
Author(s) -
Brown Sarah H.,
Neuss Michael J.,
Heimlich J. Brett,
Kronenberg Marvin W.
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
annals of noninvasive electrocardiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.494
H-Index - 48
eISSN - 1542-474X
pISSN - 1082-720X
DOI - 10.1111/anec.12907
Subject(s) - medicine , chylothorax , context (archaeology) , thoracentesis , troponin , pericarditis , chest pain , radiology , cardiology , complication , st segment , surgery , pleural effusion , myocardial infarction , paleontology , biology
Chylothorax is an uncommon complication of thoracic surgery and, to our knowledge, has never been documented as a cause of dynamic ST‐segment elevation (STE). A 63‐year‐old woman with history of right pneumonectomy presented with chest pain and regional STE on 12‐lead electrocardiogram (ECG). Normal troponin‐I and a computed tomography (CT) scan showing a large right hemithoracic fluid collection indicated the unique cause of STE, which resolved after thoracentesis, was pericardial inflammation and cardiac compression from chylothorax. This case emphasizes nuances of ECG interpretation in the context of regional STE and explores the pathophysiology that links chylothorax with acute pericarditis.