Acute benign pericarditis: A report of two cases in young adults

Abstract

Two cases of acute benign pericarditis of unknown cause are reported, with multiple lead electrocardiographic changes in both, and significant changes in the orthodiagram in one. Both cases occurred in young adults without previous cardiovascular disease. In each case there was a history of a recent upper respiratory infection. The onset in each was suggestive of acute coronary occlusion. The period of disability in Case 1 was twenty-one days, and, in Case 2, twenty-eight days. Both patients returned to full duty. No recurrence of symptoms has been noted to date. In Case 1 an electrocardiogram eight and one-half months after the acute attack was normal.