Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 24, 2025

A Research Method For Detecting Transient Myocardial Ischemia In Patients With Suspected Acute Coronary Syndrome Using Continuous ST-segment Analysis
18:11

A Research Method For Detecting Transient Myocardial Ischemia In Patients With Suspected Acute Coronary Syndrome Using Continuous ST-segment Analysis

Published on: December 28, 2012

24.4K

Diagnostic and prognostic role of the electrocardiogram in patients with pericarditis

Massimo Imazio1, Gabriele Barberi Squarotti2, Alessandro Andreis2,3

  • 1Cardiothoracic Department, Cardiology, University Hospital Santa Maria della Misericordia, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Friuli Centrale (ASUFC), Udine, Italy massimo_imazio@yahoo.it massimo.imazio@uniud.it.

Heart (British Cardiac Society)
|May 6, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Electrocardiogram (ECG) changes occur in about a quarter of pericarditis patients, often indicating concurrent myocarditis. These ECG findings do not predict a worse prognosis but warrant further investigation for myocarditis.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Electrophysiology
  • Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

  • Electrocardiogram (ECG) is a traditional tool for diagnosing pericarditis.
  • The pericardium is electrically silent; thus, ECG changes may suggest concurrent myocardial involvement.
  • Distinguishing between pericarditis and myocarditis is crucial for appropriate patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the frequency, type, and clinical implications of ECG changes in patients with pericarditis.
  • To compare ECG findings in pericarditis patients with those in myocarditis patients.
  • To determine if ECG changes in pericarditis are associated with concurrent myocardial involvement or prognosis.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective cohort study including consecutive patients diagnosed with pericarditis and/or myocarditis (January 2017 - December 2020).
  • Clinical and echocardiographic follow-up at 1, 3, 6 months, and every 6 months thereafter.
  • Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) used to diagnose concurrent myocarditis.

Main Results:

  • 166 patients were included: 110 with pericarditis and 56 with myocarditis.
  • ECG changes were present in 36.7% of all patients, significantly more frequent in myocarditis (60.7%) than pericarditis (24.5%) (p<0.0001).
  • ECG changes in pericarditis were associated with troponin elevation (suggesting myocardial involvement) but not with adverse events.

Conclusions:

  • ECG changes, primarily widespread ST-segment elevation, are observed in approximately 25% of pericarditis patients.
  • These ECG findings in pericarditis are not linked to a worse prognosis.
  • The presence of ECG changes in pericarditis may indicate concurrent myocarditis, necessitating its exclusion.
Abstract

Keywords:
ElectrocardiographyMyocarditisPericarditis

More Related Videos

Real-Time Cardiac Mapping with a Noninvasive Imageless Electrocardiographic Imaging System10:17

Real-Time Cardiac Mapping with a Noninvasive Imageless Electrocardiographic Imaging System

Published on: April 11, 2025

990
An Intact Pericardium Ischemic Rodent Model07:15

An Intact Pericardium Ischemic Rodent Model

Published on: September 2, 2021

2.6K

Related Concept Videos

Pericarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests01:19

Pericarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests

Pericarditis is distinguished by inflammation of the pericardium, the fibrous sac that encases the heart. It can be acute, lasting less than six weeks, or chronic, persisting for over three months. Understanding its clinical manifestations and diagnostic findings is crucial for timely and effective management.Clinical ManifestationsWhile pericarditis can be asymptomatic, it usually presents with characteristic symptoms such as:Chest Pain: The most characteristic symptom of pericarditis is chest...
39
Electrocardiogram01:29

Electrocardiogram

An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is a critical diagnostic tool that records the electrical signals produced by the heart during each heartbeat. This recording is achieved through electrodes placed strategically on the arms, legs, and chest. The electrocardiograph amplifies these signals and produces 12 distinct tracings, offering a comprehensive understanding of the heart's electrical activity.
Three major waveforms are present in a typical ECG recording: the P wave, the QRS complex, and...
3.3K
Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:22

Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

The key clinical manifestations of Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) include several distinct cardiac symptoms.Carditis, a hallmark of acute rheumatic fever, involves inflammation of the heart's endocardium, myocardium, and pericardium. Chronic RHD often results from recurrent episodes of carditis. Its symptoms include the following:Murmurs are caused by valvular damage, especially to the mitral and aortic valves. Mitral stenosis or regurgitation is common, with characteristic heart murmurs...
83
Myocarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests01:27

Myocarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests

Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle. The symptoms vary widely, encompassing asymptomatic presentations to severe, acute manifestations.Clinical PresentationAsymptomatic cases: In some instances, myocarditis may be asymptomatic, with the infection resolving without intervention. These cases often go undetected unless discovered incidentally through diagnostic imaging or tests conducted for other reasons.General Early Symptoms: Early symptoms of myocarditis are non-specific and can...
34
Pericarditis III: Medical Management01:17

Pericarditis III: Medical Management

The primary objectives of managing pericarditis are to determine the underlying cause, provide effective therapy for treatment and symptom relief, and promptly detect signs and symptoms of cardiac tamponade. The following outlines the essential aspects of medical management for pericarditis:ObjectivesDetermine the Cause: Identifying the underlying cause of pericarditis is crucial for targeted treatment. Causes include viral infections, autoimmune diseases, post-cardiac injury syndrome, and...
35
Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies01:30

Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies

Diagnosing acute coronary syndrome or ACS begins with a thorough patient history. Notable symptoms include central, crushing chest pain radiating to the left arm, neck, jaw, or back, along with shortness of breath, sweating (diaphoresis), nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and palpitations.It is crucial to note any history of cardiac illnesses and assess risk factors, including age, gender, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and a sedentary lifestyle.During physical examination, vital...
31