Acute Myocardial Infarction Complicated by Very Severe Hypertriglyceridemia

• Main Authors: Gregory Wu, Brianna Bockman, Jesse Perez
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Karger Publishers 2020-11-01
• Series: Case Reports in Acute Medicine
• Subjects: hypertriglyceridemia; myocardial infarction; pancreatitis; emergency medicine; critical care
• Online Access: https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/511065

Hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) is the elevation of serum triglyceride levels above 150 mg/dL and is linked to complications such as pancreatitis and increased mortality risk. An uncommonly known co-presentation of HTG is acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), with the literature citing only one other case of acute STEMI complicated by very severe HTG. We report on a 36-year-old male with multiple comorbidities presenting with acute STEMI and elevated pancreatic enzymes suggestive of pancreatitis. A subsequent lipid profile revealed very severe HTG with a triglyceride level of 2,700 mg/dL. We discuss the pathogenesis, management, and screening guidelines of very severe HTG. Clinicians should be aware that acute STEMI complicated by HTG is rare and that earlier detection and intervention may allow for the prevention of life-threatening complications.