Sensitivity of Antemortem Imaging for Pericarditis: An Institutional Experience

Pericarditis is a challenging diagnosis with nonspecific manifestations, significant clinical implications, and possible mortality. The advancement of imaging, such as echocardiography, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), has improved the sensitivity of diagnosis, although limitations remain. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of pericarditis identified at autopsy and correlated these findings with antemortem imaging studies and clinical information. Thirty-four decedents were identified in our archival autopsy records (prevalence, 1.23%) from 2010 to 2021 with a postmortem diagnosis of pericarditis. Thirty-five antemortem imaging studies were performed on 32 decedents, of which CT was the most common (18/35, 51.4%). The sensitivity of antemortem imaging was poor, with CT showing the highest sensitivity at 16.7% (3/18), while echocardiography studies, transthoracic (TTE) and transesophageal (TEE), each had a sensitivity of 0.0%. Pericarditis was determined as the immediate cause of death by autopsy in 13 decedents, of which 3 were diagnosed antemortem. It was considered contributory to the death in 6 decedents, none of which were diagnosed antemortem. In summary, antemortem imaging has limited utility in the diagnosis of pericarditis. It is imperative to examine the pericardium during autopsy to identify a possible cause of death or contributing factor.