Electrocardiographic evidence suggestive of myocardial infarction without significant organic heart disease

Hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage stimulating acute myocardial infarction

We describe the case of a patient who presented with cardiovascular collapse and ECG changes strongly suggestive of acute MI. Our experience and that of others with patients who had sustained intracerebral hemorrhage indicate the potential for this entity to be misdiagnosed as acute MI early in a patient's clinical course. Reports of mistaken administration of thrombolytic therapy to patients with pericarditis or aortic dissection, other conditions that may be electrocardiographically mimic MI, underscore the potential for error. Clinicians should consider the possibility of intracerebral hemorrhage before treatment of MI with thrombolytic agents.