Lambda-like ST-segment elevation in acute myocardial infarction triggered by coronary spasm may be a new risk predictor for lethal ventricular arrhythmia: A case report

RATIONALE: The lambda-like ST-elevation electrocardiography (ECG) pattern is extremely rare in patients with type 2 myocardial infarction (T2MI) triggered by coronary spasm. When this ECG pattern appears, sudden cardiac death (SCD) caused by lethal ventricular arrhythmia may occur because clinicians do not pay sufficient attention to this phenomenon. PATIENT CONCERNS: We describe a 41-year-old man who presented with steep down-sloping ST-segment elevation, paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia, severe sinus bradycardia, and intermittent complete atrioventricular block on ECG during the sudden recurrence of clinical symptoms. DIAGNOSIS: T2MI complicated with lethal arrhythmia and caused by coronary spasm. INTERVENTIONS: The patient received an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) for SCD caused by lethal ventricular arrhythmia and received long-term calcium-blocker and nitroglycerin therapy. OUTCOMES: At a 3-month follow-up, no recurrence was noted. LESSONS: The lambda-like ST-elevation pattern is identified with other ST-elevation patterns by geometry and may be a new risk predictor for lethal ventricular arrhythmia on ECG. When this pattern is identified, clinicians should adopt aggressive therapeutic strategies, including ICD implantation and etiological treatment.