ARTICLE

A Case of Pure Pericarditis Associated With COVID-19: Application of Classical Clinical Evaluation for Differential Diagnosis

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Dr. Brown of ER Katy co-authored an article, A Case of Pure Pericarditis Associated With COVID-19: Application of Classical Clinical Evaluation for Differential Diagnosis,  published by Cureus.

Cureus is a Springer Nature journal leveraging the power of an online, crowdsourced community platform to share and promote published medical knowledge around the world.

Abstract

Pericarditis of varying severity is being recognized as a rare complication of the COVID-19 infection. We present a patient with an electrocardiogram (EKG) and physical exam findings that initially seemed to most likely be pericarditis related to the COVID-19 infection. The differential diagnosis was a bit difficult because it included ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) due to some EKG changes and early repolarization changes that were rather robust. Treatment options for STEMI could cause severe harm if the process turned out to be pericarditis. Treatment options for pericarditis could cause severe harm if the process turned out to be STEMI. And treatment options for early repolarization might be no treatment at all, which could cause harm if the process turned out to be STEMI or pericarditis. In this case, a correct diagnosis was very important to ensure a good clinical outcome. We would like to share our thought processes in the management of this case.

Read the full article here: https://www.cureus.com/articles/100552-a-case-of-pure-pericarditis-associated-with-covid-19-application-of-classical-clinical-evaluation-for-differential-diagnosis

Authors

  • Dr. George W Pettit, M.D., Ph.D.

    PhD, 1974 (Baylor College of Medicine, Physiology and Biomedical Physics). Captain, United States Army 1973-1977 (Research Physiologist at USAMRIID (US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases), Frederick, Maryland). MD, 1981 (Baylor College of Medicine). Residency, Internal Medicine 1981-1984 (Cleveland Metropolitan General Hospital, Cleveland Ohio). Board Certified in Internal Medicine (ABIM) 1984-Present. Board Certified in Emergency Medicine (ABEM) 1989-Present. Full-Time Medical Practice in Internal Medicine and Emergency Medicine 1984-Present. Academic research activity has included Cardiac Electrophysiology (isolated animal preparations), Cardiovascular Dynamics, Potassium Metabolism, Circulatory Shock, and Infectious Diseases. Author for 7 Chapters in a Physiology Textbook.

  • Dr. Ethan Brown, M.D.

    Dr. Ethan T. Brown, MD is the Medical Director at ER Katy. He graduated from Memorial High School. He received his undergraduate degree in Biology from Rice University, and graduated from The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston. In 1996, he completed his Residency in Emergency Medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Memorial Hermann Hospital. Dr. Brown has been Board Certified in Emergency Medicine since 1998 and served as Medical Director for two other Emergency Rooms prior to ER Katy. Dr. Brown grew up in Houston, Texas and he and his family have lived in the Katy area for over 20 years. ...He enjoys boating and playing sports with his family when he is not at the ER. Recently, he started volunteering at sail boat races, setting up the courses and lending a hand on the committee boats. Apparently, community mindedness runs in the family; Katy is also the home of “Ride On”, an organization started by his mother, providing therapeutic horseback riding for special needs children. Dr. Brown is passionate about providing the families of Katy with the best medical care available, in a compassionate, patient-centered environment.