Nearly fatal idiopathic anaphylactic reaction resulting in cardiovascular collapse and myocardial infarction.

We report a case of nearly fatal cardiovascular collapse attributable to an idiopathic anaphylactic reaction in a 76-year-old man. The event began with gastrointestinal symptoms of abdominal cramps, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting as manifestations of IA. The patient subsequently progressed to develop urticaria, flushing, cardiovascular symptoms of chest pain, hypotension, and eventually cardiovascular collapse and myocardial infarction over a five-hour interval. This case emphasizes that the potential for life-threatening cardiovascular events from IA exists in patients without previously defined cardiac risk factors.