A case of repeated Kounis syndrome after anaphylactic shock: A note for disease management

Abstract

BackgroundKounis syndrome (KS) is an underdiagnosed disease. The management of the disease remains elusive because of its infrequency.Case PresentationA 78‐year‐old man with anaphylactic shock was admitted to our hospital 2 h after multiple bee stings. After recovering from an anaphylactic reaction, he presented with chest pain with ST elevation. We diagnosed him with KS. After a continuous intravenous infusion of vasodilators, his chest pain and ST elevation improved. However, chest pain with ST‐segment elevation recurred the next day. Coronary angiography revealed severe stenosis in the middle left anterior descending coronary artery, and drug‐eluting stents were implanted. The patient was discharged on foot after treatment for heart failure.ConclusionKS, in which anaphylaxis and acute coronary syndrome occur simultaneously, can recur repeatedly after an initial anaphylactic reaction; however, it could be delayed or it could present simultaneously with the anaphylactic reaction. Therefore, long‐term observation is important.