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

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.