The Yentl Syndrome: A Case Report

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease, including ischemic heart disease, is one of the most common causes of death and disability in both sexes. The traditional concept of ischemic heart disease as a “man’s disease” is debunked. Yentl syndrome is used to describe the underdiagnosis of ischemic heart disease in females and its associated effects. This article reports a 48-year-old female presented to the emergency department with acute epigastric discomfort. Her initial diagnostic tests did not reveal any abnormalities, and she was discharged. Subsequently, after four days, she again visited the emergency department with chest pain, the evaluation of which furthermore revealed no abnormalities. However, we admitted her. After 40 hours of hospitalization, her evaluation revealed anterior wall ST elevation myocardial infarction, and she underwent emergent reperfusion via coronary catheterization. This combination of atypical signs and symptoms and chances of delayed manifestations in the diagnostic investigations provides evidence for a need for thorough assessment in a female with chest pain.