ABSTRAKAcute upper back pain as one of the atypical symptoms of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is more frequently encountered in women, elderly, diabetics, and patients with prior stroke or heart failure.1 Failure to recognize atypical clinical presentation of AMI conveys to delayed diagnosis, which are associated with increased morbidity and mortality.2 Abstract : Acute upper back pain as one of the atypical symptoms of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is more frequently encountered in women, elderly and diabetics. Failure to recognize atypical clinical presentation of AMI conveys to delayed diagnosis, which are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Herein we report a case of 46 yearsold male presenting with a sudden onset of severe acute upper back pain 6 hours prior to hospital admission. Diagnosis of AMI was delayed until 12 hours later after typical ischemic chest pain manifested and ECG reading showed evolution of ST-Elevation Myocardial In- farction (STEMI). Due to the atypical clinical presentation, diagnosis of AMI in this patient was delayed. Vigilant observation and low threshold for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) work-up are obligatory to prevent delayed diagnosis and management.
