title: Pericardial Effusion in a Patient with Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction: Beware of a Hidden Malefactor.
abstract: Pericarditis with pericardial effusion in acute coronary syndrome is seen in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction specifically when infarction is anterior, extensive, and Q wave. It is very uncommon to have pericardial effusion in a patient with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction. We present an elderly hypertensive patient who was diagnosed as non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction with pericardial effusion that turned out to be acute aortic dissection with catastrophic end. We conclude that, in patients with suspected diagnosis of non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction or unstable angina, if pericardial effusion is detected on echocardiography, aortic dissection needs to be considered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Royal Hospital, P.O. Box 1331, Muscat 111, Oman.
authors.forename: Mamatha Punjee
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Raja Rao
authors.forename: Prashanth
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Panduranga
authors.forename: Mahmood
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Al-Jufaili