Faculty mentor/PI email address
jim010@aol.com
Is your research Teaching and Learning based?
1
Keywords
Systemic infection mimicking acute coronary syndrome, STEMI mimic, Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia, pericardial infection, pericarditis
Date of Presentation
5-6-2026 12:00 AM
Poster Abstract
A 75-year-old female presented to the emergency department (ED) with vomiting, weakness, and altered mental status. Initial evaluation revealed a markedly elevated troponin level and an electrocardiogram (ECG) demonstrating diffuse ST-segment depressions with relative ST elevation in lead aVR, prompting activation of a STEMI alert. After cardiology consultation, emergent catheterization was deferred. Computed tomography (CT) imaging demonstrated an anterior mediastinal fluid collection extending toward the pericardial space with a loculated pericardial effusion. Splenic infarctions were also identified. Blood cultures later grew Staphylococcus aureus. The patient was treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics and transferred to a tertiary care center for further management. This case highlights how systemic infection can mimic acute coronary syndrome and empEasizes the Importance of maintaining a broad differential diagnosis when evaluating elevated troponin and ischemic-appearing ECG findings.
Disciplines
Bacterial Infections and Mycoses | Cardiovascular Diseases | Medicine and Health Sciences
A STEMI that Wasn’t: Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia Presenting With Troponin Elevation and Pericardial Involvement
A 75-year-old female presented to the emergency department (ED) with vomiting, weakness, and altered mental status. Initial evaluation revealed a markedly elevated troponin level and an electrocardiogram (ECG) demonstrating diffuse ST-segment depressions with relative ST elevation in lead aVR, prompting activation of a STEMI alert. After cardiology consultation, emergent catheterization was deferred. Computed tomography (CT) imaging demonstrated an anterior mediastinal fluid collection extending toward the pericardial space with a loculated pericardial effusion. Splenic infarctions were also identified. Blood cultures later grew Staphylococcus aureus. The patient was treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics and transferred to a tertiary care center for further management. This case highlights how systemic infection can mimic acute coronary syndrome and empEasizes the Importance of maintaining a broad differential diagnosis when evaluating elevated troponin and ischemic-appearing ECG findings.