Cardiopathica fantastica

Cardiopathia fantastica exposed by rapid sequential serum creatine kinase analysis

“…A variety of cardiac complaints, including feigned myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, unstable angina and deliberately interfering with electrocardiogram leads in order to simulate cardiac arrhythmias, have been described in patients with Munchausen's syndrome [6]. Such patients have undergone coronary angiography, coronary artery bypass grafting, intra-aortic balloon insertion and even arm amputation secondary to multiple cardiac catheterizations [7,8].…”

Do inherited prothrombotic factors have a role in myocardial infarction with normal coronary arteriogram?

“…Although Asher [2] described in his original article three varieties of Munchausen syndrome -laparotomia migrans (abdominal pain), haemorrhagica histrionica (bleeding), and neurologica diabolica (neurological symptoms), it was not long before a fourth variety was described by Kounis, in 1979, of cardiovascular presentations, under the name cardiopathia fantastica [5]. The drama and publicity associated with recent advances in cardiovascular diagnosis and therapy have led to an increased incidence of cardiopathia fantastica [6].…”

Munchausen Syndrome

“…Although Asher [ 2] described in his original article three varieties of Munchausen syndrome – laparotomophilia migrans (abdominal pain), haemorrhagica histrionica (bleeding), and neurologica diabolica (neurological symptoms), it was not long before a fourth variety was described by Kounis, in 1979, of cardiovascular presentations, under the name cardiopathia fantastica [ 5]. The drama and publicity associated with recent advances in cardiovascular diagnosis and therapy have led to an increased incidence of cardiopathia fantastica [ 6].…”