The Dilemma of Myopericarditis Versus Acute Coronary Event

Abstract

Myopericarditis is an uncommon medical condition characterized by symptoms and signs of pericarditis with myocardial involvement. The main differential diagnosis is acute coronary event. Chest pain, electrocardiogtaphic changes, elevated cardiac enzymes and regional wall motion abnormality might turn the situation into a state of emergency. Here we describe a patient who presented with all of the above and positive family history of coronary artery disease. He was rushed to the catheterization unit, showing normal coronaries. Cardiac computerized tomography done later showed normal coronaries and pericardial enhancement typical of pericarditis with eventual diagnosis of myopericarditis due to streptococcal tonsillar infection. Patient was eventually treated with aspirin with full recovery of the left ventricular function.




J Med Cases. 2014;5(5):262-263
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.14740/jmc1336w