A young man with myocardial infarction and a calcified coronary artery aneurysm on chest radiography

Abstract

Kawasaki disease (mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome) is a syndrome of generalised vasculitis and is the leading cause of acquired heart disease in children. Coronary arterial abnormalties occur in 20% of cases, with coronary artery aneurysms being the most predominant vascular abnormality in this condition. Although death may occur secondary to thrombotic coronary artery occlusion usually within the first year of the illness, myocardial infarction may occur several years after the onset of the disease. Here, we report a case of a young man presenting with ischaemic chest pain, an ECG suggestive of an anteroseptal infarction and a childhood illness consistent with Kawasaki disease.

Sudden, unexpected death resulting from a giant coronary artery aneurysm

“…The leading cause for coronary artery aneurysms in childhood is Kawasaki disease (mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome). Although severe cardiac complications of Kawasaki disease usually occur during the first year of the illness, some coronary aneurysms may become symptomatic many years later (7). When the history of a febrile illness in childhood is remote or if the symptoms had been mild, these aneurysms in young people may be regarded as congenital.…”