[Electrocardiogram changes in purulent pericarditis. Report on 21 cases]

The electrocardiograms of 18 out of 21 patients hospitalized between 1964 and 1972 with purulent pericarditis presented significant changes. With the exception of three cases of primary isolated pericarditis, most of the patients presented with septicemia. Staphylococcus aureus was the predominant pathogen in 16 cases. Classical electrocardiographic evolution in four phases was recorded in six cases. Draining of the pericardial effusion in the patients without pleurisy was followed by low-voltage amelioration in half of the cases. The duration of the electrocardiographic changes was shorter in patients who underwent intrapericardial treatment. One quarter of the patients suffering from myopericarditis with conduction disturbances--Block AV 1, 2 and Wenckebach's periods--had a worse prognosis.