Calcification of the Pericardium in Apparently Healthy People

Abstract

Case histories are presented of five apparently healthy persons showing pericardial calcification. Calcium deposits form in the dense pericardial scarring which is responsible for changes in the electrocardiogram. Awareness by the cardiologist of the possibility of pericardial scarring makes him particularly alert to electrocardiograms showing normal QRS complexes with T wave changes, particularly if the T waves point in a direction opposite to the main QRS deflection and are associated with RS-T segment depression. Low QRS voltage may or may not be present. Suspicion will be increased in serial records when the abnormalities remain constant over a period of years.