Treatment strategies in myocardial bridging: a case report

Abstract

Myocardial bridging is one of the nonatherosclerotic causes of coronary artery disease and is characterized by muscles overlying the intramyocardial course of a major epicardial coronary artery segment, leading to systolic compression. Myocardial bridging is considered a benign condition in most cases, but has been associated with serious cardiac events such as myocardial infarction and sudden death. We discuss the case of a 63-year-old man who was admitted to our hospital with effort-induced angina, bradycardia, and left ventricular hypertrophy on electrocardiogram. On coronary angiography, we found significant myocardial bridging with total occlusion in the left anterior descending artery during systole. In patients with myocardial bridging, symptoms often manifest during exercise and with tachycardia. But it is interesting to note that our patient was bradycardic and became symptomatic with minimal effort. Thus, we thought that these emphasized its significance and affected treatment strategy. © 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.