Pericarditis from Acute Myocardial Infarction

Differentiating Pericarditis from Acute Myocardial Infarction 

The main difference between Pericarditis and an MI is the shape of the ST elevation. Pericarditis has a concaved shape, as oppose to the convex shape seen in an MI (Fig. 8.10). In addition the ST segment changes in a MI to reflect the areas affected, as oppose to the more widespread ST elevation seen in Pericarditis (Fig. 8.11). 

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Differentiating Pericarditis from Acute Myocardial Infarction... 

Myocardial infarction (Ml) and acute pericarditis each cause ST-segment elevation on an electrocardiogram (ECC). However, the ST segment and T wave (shaded areas) on an Ml waveform are quite different from those on a pericarditis waveform, as shown below. 

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