What lab finding is associated with pericarditis?

The association of ST segment elevation with pericarditis is due to the inflammatory process affecting the pericardial lining, which leads to characteristic changes in the electrocardiogram (ECG). This elevation typically appears in the early stages of pericarditis and is most often diffuse rather than localized to specific leads, which helps differentiate it from myocardial infarction. The ST segment elevation in pericarditis is usually concave and evolves through various stages as the condition progresses. Recognizing this finding is essential for an accurate diagnosis and differentiating it from other cardiac issues.

While a left shift of bands, depression of the PR interval, and elevated white blood cell count can occur with various conditions, they are not specific indicators of pericarditis. A left shift of bands typically signifies a bacterial infection, depression of the PR interval may occur in different settings like atrioventricular nodal pathology, and an elevated white blood cell count indicates an inflammatory or infectious process but is not distinctive to pericarditis by itself.