NONSPECIFIC PERICARDITIS

Abstract

IN THE past 10 years there has been increased recognition of a form of pericarditis of unknown origin variously termed as idiopathic, nonspecific, viral or benign.¹Attention also has been focused on the difficulties of differentiating this disease from acute myocardial infarction.²The importance of such differentiation is quite apparent from both a prognostic and a therapeutic standpoint. The following case of acute idiopathic pericarditis is reported because of a fatal outcome in a supposedly benign condition and the possible detrimental effect of the anticoagulant therapy administered. <h3>REPORT OF CASE</h3> A 52 year old white man was admitted to the Medical Service of the Veterans Administration Hospital, Dayton, Ohio, at 5:00 p.m. on July 11, 1950, with a chief complaint of pain in the chest. The patient had been in good health until 36 hours prior to admission. After ingestion of a large breakfast, there was an onset