Investigating Pericarditis Diagnosis in a Tertiary Pericardial Center: A Descriptive Study
Authors' conclusion
Thirty-five percent of patients referred to the pericardial center are misdiagnosed with pericarditis. Inflammatory markers and late gadolinium enhancement on magnetic resonance imaging can help refine the diagnosis. COVID-19 infection is associated with higher rates of misdiagnosis.
Study context
- Population
- Patients referred to a tertiary pericardial centre with a diagnosis of pericarditis, September 2022–September 2023; diagnosis per 2015 ESC guidelinesmean age 49.1 years
- Participants
- 170 patients
- Exposure
- Accurately diagnosed vs misdiagnosed pericarditis
- Outcome
- Rate of misdiagnosed pericarditis
Methodological detailssingle-centre, tertiary pericardial centre
- Single-centre
- Tertiary pericardial centre
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Misdiagnosed pericarditis
Patients misdiagnosed
35%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Comorbidities · CAD
P = 0.02
Comorbidities · valvular disease
P = 0.01
Comorbidities · AF
P < 0.01
COVID-19 infection
P < 0.05
Prior cardiac surgery
P < 0.05
Comorbidities
- Demographics similar in both groups
Diagnostic features
- Significant LGE on MRI, raised inflammatory markers, ECG changes and specific pericardial pain more common in accurately diagnosed group
- P < 0.05
Original publication
Investigating Pericarditis Diagnosis in a Tertiary Pericardial Center: A Descriptive Study. JACC Adv. Published 18 November 2025. doi:10.
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it