Acute Pericarditis

Abstract
A 35-year-old woman who is otherwise healthy has had constant retrosternal chest pain for two days. The pain worsens when she lies down and improves when she sits up and leans forward. On physical examination, the patient is afebrile and has a friction rub. The 12-lead electrocardiogram shows widespread ST-segment elevation and concomitant PR-segment depression. How should this patient be evaluated and treated?