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Pericarditis is one of the conditions that is often misdiagnosed as STEMI, resulting in "inappropriate" cath lab interventions. In addition to producing STE, pericarditis also may produce dyspnea, diaphoresis, and elevations in TN levels, all of which will mimic true ACS.
On the other hand, pericarditis does NOT produce STE in up to one-third of cases, so the diagnosis may be missed. Non-STE cases of pericarditis occur more often in women, in patients with pericardial effusions, and in patients without preceding viral syndromes.
[Salisbury AC, et al. Frequency and predictors of urgent coronary angiography in patients with acute pericarditis. Mayo Clin Proc 2009;84:11-15.]