Acute pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium, which often causes characteristic changes on the electrocardiogram (ECG).

Electrocardiographic Changes

  • Sinus tachycardia
  • Diffuse ST-segment elevation > 1 mm
  • PQ-segment depression
  • Spodick's sign (TP-segment downsloping)
  • ST-segment depression in aVR and V1

ECG in Acute Pericarditis

Electrocardiogram with acute pericarditis
ECG | Acute pericarditis

Acute pericarditis. Diffuse ST-segment elevation, not following a coronary territory, associated with ST depression in aVR.

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References

  1. Adler Y, Charron P, Imazio M, Badano L, et al. 2015 ESC Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of pericardial diseases. Eur Heart J. 2015;36(42):2921–64.
  2. Alencar JN. Tratado de ECG. 2022.
  3. Witting MD, Hu KM, Westreich AA, Tewelde S, et al. Evaluation of Spodick’s Sign and Other Electrocardiographic Findings as Indicators of STEMI and Pericarditis. J Emerg Med. 2020;58(4):562–9.