Kounis Syndrome: Dexketoprofen-Associated ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Allergic angina and allergic myocardial infarction are common diseases associated with acute coronary syndromes and encompass a wide spectrum of mast cell activation disorders termed "Kounis Syndrome". We present here a patient with Kounis syndrome presenting with sudden cardiac arrest after intravenous infusion of dexketoprofen in the emergency room.

Friend or foe: food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis associated with acute coronary syndrome aggravated by adrenaline and aspirin: a case report

Background Although aspirin and adrenaline are the guideline-recommended treatments for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and anaphylaxis, both regimens can contribute to clinical worsening in the setting of concurrent ACS and anaphylaxis which is called allergic angina or Kounis syndrome. Case summary A 62-year-old woman with food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis developed ACS after intramuscular injection of adrenaline for the treatment of anaphylaxis, whereas administered aspirin for the treatment of ACS exacerbated anaphylaxis. Discussion Our case underlines the importance of tailored treatment based on the underlying pathophysiology of individual patients. Clopidogrel and glucagon might be a better alternative for the treatment of Kounis syndrome.

Coronary spasm secondary to cefuroxime injection, complicated with cardiogenic shock – a manifestation of Kounis syndrome: case report and literature review

Kounis syndrome is defined as the coincidental occurrence of an acute coronary syndrome with hypersensitivity reactions following an allergic event. The three reported variants of Kounis syndrome are vasospastic allergic angina, allergic myocardial infarction and stent thrombosis with occluding thrombus. The syndrome is caused by various inflammatory mediators. The pathophysiological characteristics of Kounis syndrome involve coronary artery spasm and/or atheromatous plaque erosion or rupture during an allergic reaction. Several causes have been described to induce Kounis syndrome, and their number is increasing rapidly. The haemodynamic effect of the syndrome complicated by cardiogenic shock seems to combine allergic shock with extensive peripheral vasodilation and myocardial suppression with the characteristics of cardiogenic shock. Treatment of Kounis syndrome is challenging because it needs management of both cardiac and allergic manifestation simultaneously. We present a case report of type I Kounis syndrome, with coronary spasm secondary to cefuroxime injection complicated with cardiogenic shock. A brief review of the literature on the various facets of this condition is also provided.

Death following ceftazidime-induced Kounis syndrome

Kounis syndrome, also known as allergic myocardial infarction or allergic angina syndrome, coincides with chest pain and allergic reactions. It involves the activation of interrelated inflammatory cells following allergic, anaphylactic or anaphylactoid insults. We report a case of Kounis syndrome complicated by an injection of ceftazidime. A 52-year-old man developed shortness of breath and hypotension, leading to immediate unconsciousness, after a ceftazidime injection. Despite intensive care management, he showed no improvement and died approximately 19 h after ceftazidime administration. Autopsy showed massive laryngeal oedema, mucous plugging and collapsed lungs. An ImmunoCAP tryptase assay showed the tryptase level in an autopsy sample to be 118 µg/L (normal < 11.4 µg/L). Microscopy of the myocardium showed cellular infiltration preceding myocardial necrosis. These findings support the pathophysiological theory of Kounis syndrome, with cellular infiltration proposed as the cause of myocardial injury rather than an effect related to the healing process.