%0 Journal Article
%T Transient elevation of ST-segment due to pneumothorax and pneumopericardium
%A Rodrigo Martins Brand£żo
%A Amanda Cristina Maria Aparecida Gon£żalves
%A Renata Paula Martins Brand£żo
%A Lucas Fernandes de Oliveira
%J Autopsy and Case Reports
%D 2013
%I University of S?o Paulo
%X ST-segment elevation, observed in the critically ill patients, almost always raises the suspicion of ischemic heart disease. However, nonischemic myocardial and non-myocardial problems in these patients may also lead to ST-segment elevation. Pneumothorax and pneumopericardium have been rarely reported as a cause of transient ST-segment elevation. The authors report the case of a patient admitted to the emergency care unit because of a respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilatory support. As the patient showed signs of clinical deterioration, a pneumothorax was clinically diagnosed. Chest radiography after thorax drainage also disclosed a pneumopericardium. The 12-lead electrocardiogram recorded before the thoracic drainage revealed an ST-segment elevation, which normalized after the surgical procedure. Ischemic myocardial biomarkers were negative. The authors call attention to the right-sided pneumothorax associated with pneumopericardium as an unusual cause of ST-segment elevation.
%K Electrocardiography
%K Pneumothorax
%K Pneumopericardium
%K Asthma
%K Barotrauma
%U http://www.revistas.usp.br/autopsy/article/view/58879