A Rare Case of Pyopneumopericardium Diagnosed by Coronary Angiography in a Patient Presented as STEMI

Abstract

Pyopneumopericardium is a rare pathology with a poor prognosis. Accurate diagnosis may be difficult and, in very rare cases, can mimic ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We present the case of a 44-year-old man, with clinical, ECG, and ultrasound criteria of inferior STEMI. Emergency coronary angiography excluded obstructive coronary artery disease. However, a hydroaeric level image in the pericardium drew our attention. The chest computed tomography scan and Gastrografin study confirmed the diagnosis of pyopneumopericardium. An exploratory thoracotomy was performed to drain the liquid from the pericardium, without highlighting a fistulous path. The etiology of the pyopneumopericardium was detected by performing an upper endoscopy, which revealed a complex lesion suggestive for a foreign body perforation, which was treated with a covered esophageal stent. The outcome of the patient was unfavorable despite the complex treatment, with cardiac arrest and death occurring on the 14th day of hospitalization.

Keywords

• pyopneumopericardium
• stemi
• coronary angiography