title: Regional pericarditis status post cardiac ablation: a case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Regional pericarditis is elusive and difficult to diagnosis. Healthcare providers should be familiar with post-cardiac ablation complications as this procedure is now widespread and frequently performed. The management of regional pericarditis differs greatly from that of acute myocardial infarction.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 52 year-old male underwent atrial fibrillation ablation and developed severe mid-sternal chest pain the following day with electrocardiographic findings suggestive of acute myocardial infarction, and underwent coronary angiography, a left ventriculogram, and 2D transthoracic echocardiogram, all of which were unremarkable without evidence of obstructive coronary disease, wall motion abnormalities, or pericardial effusions. Ultimately, the patient was diagnosed with regional pericarditis. After diagnosis, the patient's presenting symptoms resolved with treatment including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents and colchicine.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first reported case study of regional pericarditis status post cardiac ablation. Electrocardiographic findings were classic for an acute myocardial infarction; however, coronary angiography and left ventriculogram demonstrated no acute coronary occlusion or ventricular wall motion abnormalities. Healthcare professionals must remember that the electrocardiographic findings in pericarditis are not always classic and that pericarditis can occur status post cardiac ablation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona, USA.
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Orme
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona, USA.
authors.forename: Moneer
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Eddin
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona, USA.
authors.forename: Akil
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Loli
keywords: Acute myocardial infarction; Cardiac ablation; Regional pericarditis