Citation

Chen LB, Lai YC, Chen CC, Chang WH, Su YJ. Am. J. Emerg. Med. 2008; 26(5): 635.e3-635005.

Affiliation

Department of Emergency Medicine, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei 10449, Taiwan.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.ajem.2007.10.011

PMID

18534314

Abstract

During summer, near drowning is a common accident in Taiwan. It may lead to multiple organ damages in cases where severe hypothermia and hypoxemia occur. We present a case of myocardial infarction after near drowning. The patient was sent to our ED by the emergency medical services called by the witness. On arrival to our ED, hypothermia and hypoxemia overcame him. Endotracheal intubation and warm intravenous fluid were applied at once owing to drowsy consciousness, respiratory distress, and hypothermia. Electrocardiogram showed diffuse ST-segment elevation over the precordial leads V2-V6. The initial level of cardiac enzymes was within normal limit but elevated in troponin I on the second day after hospitalization. We presumed that the possibility of myocardial infarction resulted from near drowning-related hypoxemia. To our knowledge, this is the first case describing myocardial injury with electrocardiogram changes after near drowning.

Language: en