The electrocardiogram often fails to identify pericarditis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty
Insights
Acute pericarditis occurred in 6/1,316 patients after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Dissection at the PTCA site caused localized pericarditis, often presenting atypically without classic ECG changes.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Interventional Cardiology
Background:
- Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) is a common procedure for coronary artery disease.
- Acute pericarditis is a potential complication following cardiac procedures.
Observation:
- Six cases of acute pericarditis were identified in 1,316 patients undergoing PTCA.
- Patients presented with atypical chest pain, low-grade fever, and pericardial friction rub.
- Cardiac enzymes (CK-MB) were mildly elevated in half of the affected patients.
Findings:
- Thallium-201 perfusion imaging showed no perfusion defects.
- Electrocardiograms (ECG) revealed minor ST-T abnormalities in most patients, with only one showing classical ST elevation.
- Vessel occlusion or compromise was not observed; significant dissection at the PTCA site was consistently noted.
Implications:
- Dissection following PTCA can lead to regional, localized acute pericarditis.
- Standard ECG may not detect this localized form of pericarditis.
- Clinical presentation and auscultation are crucial for diagnosing PTCA-associated pericarditis.
Abstract:
Acute pericarditis was recognized in six of 1,316 patients undergoing percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) between September, 1980 and December, 1984. "Atypical" chest pain different from the patients' usual exertional angina pectoris accompanied by a low grade fever and a pericardial friction rub on cardiac auscultation was considered diagnostic. Cardiac enzymes (CK-MB) were mildly elevated in three of six patients. None had perfusion defects on thallium-201 perfusion images. Serial ECG's showed minor ST-T abnormalities in five of six, while only one had the "classical" generalized ST elevation commonly expected with acute pericarditis. No patient had occlusion of the vessel undergoing PTCA nor compromise of any branch vessels in the region of the stenosis. All patients had significant dissection at the site of PTCA which may cause a regional, localized acute pericarditis not recognized by standard 12-lead ECG records.
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