A Rare Cause of St-Segment Elevation: Ethanol Intoxication

Introduction: The cardiovascular effects of alcohol consumption are variable. In addition to its protective effects, it may also result in mortality. In this study, we presented a case, who developed cardiac arrest after excessive ethanol intake. Case Report: A 68-year-old patient, who was brought to the emergency room due to out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, showed ST elevation in the electrocardiogram after returning to spontaneous circulation, and no vascular occlusion was detected in the coronary angiography. The patient’s blood ethanol level was found to be 605 mg/dl and he had cardiac arrest again in the follow-up. He did not respond to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for 30 minutes and died. Discussion: Acute alcohol intoxication causes various metabolic changes, cardiovascular side effects, gastrointestinal side effects, and respiratory depression. It has been stated that coronary vasospasm can occur even when ethanol levels reach a basal level after 9 hours of excessive alcohol intake. We believe that ST-segment elevation developed as a result of vasospasm and respiratory depression emerged after ethanol intake and that the patient had a cardiac arrest. Conclusion: We contend that ST-segment elevation after spontaneous return to circulation in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients may be caused by excessive ethanol intake, besides acute coronary syndromes.