ABSTRACT
We present the case of a 77-year-old woman who suffered from chest pain. Her white
blood cell count was 10,200/μL and C-reactive protein level was 5.5 mg/dL. There was
no electrocardiogram abnormality up to 5 hours after admission. At 15 hours, slight
ST-segment elevation occurred, but this disappeared on day 4. Imaging revealed slight
pericardial effusion. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics were administered.
However, the pericardial effusion, inflammatory response, and bilateral heart failure
worsened. Pericardiotomy on day 6 released 350 mL of fluid, and symptoms improved.
Viral pericarditis was assumed. Massive pericardial effusion is rare in cases of acute
viral pericarditis, as is slight, short-duration ST-segment elevation.
KEYWORDS
Acute pericarditis - ST-segment elevation - viral pericarditis
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Michiyoshi SoneM.D.
Department of Cardiology, Koto Hospital
6-8-5 Ojima Koto-ku, Tokyo 136-0072, Japan
Email: kmws862170@yahoo.co.jp
