Ischemic heart disease is rarely reported in people with cystic fibrosis despite multiple potential risk factors.
In a paper published in the Journal of Cystic Fibrosis, Jennifer Goralski, MD, Sirisha Thambuluru, MD, Katherine (Alex) Despotes, MD, and Deepa Kirk, MD, report on two cases of ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), both in young women with cystic fibrosis and cystic fibrosis-related diabetes. The cases illustrate the importance of considering myocardial injury/infarction in the differential diagnosis of patients with CF and chest pain or shortness of breath, and addressing the growing risk of cardiovascular disease.
Jennifer Goralski, MD, is assistant professor of medicine and pediatrics in the division of pulmonary diseases and critical care medicine, and co-medical director of UNC Pulmonary Clinics at Eastowne. Sirisha Thambuluru, MD, is a fellow in endocrinology. Katherine (Alex) Despotes, MD, is a fellow in pulmonary and critical care medicine. Deepa Kirk, MD, is associate professor in the division of endocrinology and metabolism and medical director of the UNC Diabetes and Endocrinology Clinic at Eastowne.
Additional author, Sayyad Kyazimzade, MD, is a graduate of UNC internal medicine residency and a fellow in cardiology at the Medical University of South Carolina.
The abstract was published online ahead of print.