Cylindrical Battery Ingestion With Electrocardiogram Mimicking ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

A 36-year-old man with a history of schizophrenia presented to our hospital with ingestion of 6 cylindrical batteries (size AAA), having attempting suicide 1 h earlier. His clinical examination was unremarkable. The chest radiography showed 6 cylindrical batteries retained in the stomach, and the esophagus was clear (A, arrow). The electrocardiogram revealed ST-segment elevation in the inferior leads and tall T waves in the precordial lateral leads (B, arrowheads), which was suspected to be ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. The patient denied chest pain or any symptoms associated with myocardial infarction. The blood levels of cardiac enzymes were all within normal ranges, and echocardiography revealed normal wall motion. A pseudo-infarction pattern on the electrocardiogram due to batteries ingestion was suspected. After successful endoscopic removal of the battery, the ST-segment change disappeared in the follow-up electrocardiogram (C, arrowheads). The patient was discharged 3 days later without any complications.