ABSTRACT
Introduction@#Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) presenting as non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) in a very young Filipina female with a maternal history of premature coronary artery disease and no comorbidities is a rare occurrence and seldom suspected. An integral approach using clinical presentation, information derived from ECG, cardiac troponin and risk assessment criteria should be used in order to arrive at the proper diagnosis and management. The other challenges encountered were angioedema secondary to clopidogrel hypersensitivity and financial constraints. These factors should be taken into consideration when deciding the short and long-term treatment especially after percutaneous coronary intervention and stenting.@*Case presentation@#A 27-year-old active, female, Filipino, single, with a normal body mass index, non-smoker nonalcoholic drinker, no use of recreational drugs, no history of previous hospitalization, and comorbidities presented with sudden onset severe angina accompanied by diaphoresis and dyspnea. She was immediately brought to a local hospital, 12LECG showed T wave inversion on the inferior leads, troponin I was positive at 0.51ng/ml (0-.08) She was given aspirin, followed by clopidogrel in which she developed periorbital edema, dyspnea and was treated immediately with intravenous hydrocortisone and maintained on cetirizine and prednisone for five days. The clopidogrel was shifted to cilostazol. A coronary angiogram was done which showed a severe coronary artery disease at proximal right coronary artery. She underwent percutaneous coronary with stenting and was discharged stable and improved.@*Conclusion@#A delay in diagnosis and management may happen in a very young Filipino female presenting with acute chest pain and no comorbidities. A family history of premature coronary artery disease is a clinical marker of risk for acute coronary syndrome. A genetic testing may further establish this relationship. The clinical presentation of typical angina, T-wave inversions on inferior leads, highly abnormal cardiac troponin and very-high-risk criteria of recurrent or ongoing chest pain refractory to medical treatment warrants an immediate invasive strategy of coronary angiogram with revascularization. An angioedema secondary to clopidogrel hypersensitivity is a rare complication and can cause reluctance in a patient. The financial capacity to maintain long term treatment of dual antiplatelet should be considered for better compliance. A shared decision making between the physician and patient is a valuable tool in facing these challenges.