A 24-year-old male presents complaining of chest pain. He states that it is worse with swallowing and taking a deep breath. It is improved sitting up and leaning forward. He denies trauma, a cough, and shortness of breath. Which of the following test would be most compatible with your suspected diagnosis?
- a hiatal hernia visualized on chest x-ray
- a normal erythrocyte sedimentation rate
- calcified “popcorn” lesions in the lung fields bilaterally
- diffuse ST-segment elevation on his electrocardiograph
- a widened Aa gradient on his arterial blood gas
Answer: D
Diffuse ST-segment elevation on his electrocardiograph
This is pericarditis (by clinical presentation) which causes diffuse ST segment elevation on ECG (there can be notching of the R wave as well)
Know Your Content Blueprint
Pericarditis is covered as part of the PANCE Cardiology Blueprint
Review Topic: Acute pericarditis (ReelDx)