Sudden death complicating a coronary arteritis: polyarteritis nodosa (case report)

Coronary artery aneurysms are uncommon, are usually associated with atherosclerosis, and rarely involve all three major coronary arteries. Data on the optimal choice of acute myocardial infarction (AMI)´s revascularization in the context of polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) is limited to case reports and is still an open question. The present report describes a rare case of a young male patient followed for PAN presenting with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Coronary angiography revealed multiple severe aneurysmal and stenotic changes. Based on clinical feature and angiographic findings, it was strongly suspected that the AMI was a complication of his vasculitis. This case indicates that coronary artery involvement should be carefully monitored during the chronic phase of PAN. The pathophysiology of AMI in PAN patients should be kept in mind and the interventional approach must be performed according to the angiographic findings to avoid complications.