ST Depression in the Setting of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Abstract

We present a case report of a patient presenting with subarachnoid hemorrhage whose electrocardiogram (ECG) mimicked non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction. A 36-year-old male with a past medical history of resistant hypertension, previous severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection, and alcohol abuse presented to the hospital after cardiac arrest. He was taken to the catheterization lab upon arrival and was found to have an unremarkable coronary angiogram. After angiography, computerized tomography (CT) head was performed revealing an acute, large-volume, subarachnoid hemorrhage. Subsequent CT angiogram of the head confirmed this with source noted to be a ruptured aneurysm of the anterior communicating artery. ST depression on ECG has been reported in patients who have suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage. Although the most common etiology of cardiac arrest is an acute coronary syndrome, other etiologies based on a patient's past medical history need to remain in the differential. Recognition of ECG changes may lead to earlier diagnosis and decreased mortality in subarachnoid patients.