Pericarditis overview
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Pericarditis overview On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Pericarditis overview |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Pericarditis is a condition in which the sac-like covering around the heart (pericardium) becomes inflamed. Symptoms of pericarditis include chest pain which is caused by the inflamed pericardium rubbing against the heart. The pain often increases with deep breathing and lying flat, and may increase with coughing and swallowing.
Pericarditis is usually a complication of viral infections, most commonly echovirus or coxsackie virus. In addition, pericarditis can be associated with diseases such as autoimmune disorders, cancer, hypothyroidism, and kidney failure. Often the cause of pericarditis remains unknown. In this case, the condition is called idiopathic(unknown cause) pericarditis.
Pericarditis most often affects men aged 20 - 50. It usually follows respiratory infections. In children, it is most commonly caused by adenovirus or coxsackie virus.
An ECG and an echocardiogram to assess for the presence of a pericardial effusion and / or cardiac tamponade are often ordered.
- Analgesics for pain
- Antibiotics for bacterial pericarditis
- Antifungal medications for fungal pericarditis
- Aspirin or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen for inflammation of the pericardium
- corticosteroids such as prednisone
- Colchicine
- Diuretics to remove excess fluid in the pericardial sac
If the buildup of fluid in the pericardium makes the heart function poorly or produces cardiac tamponade, it is necessary to drain the fluid from the sac. This procedure, called pericardiocentesis, may be done using an echocardiography-guided needle or minor surgery.
Pericarditis is often self limited and most people recover in 2 weeks to 3 months. However, the condition can be complicated by significant fluid buildup around the heart (cardiac tamponade) and may require urgent intervention. If scarring of the sac around the heart (the pericardium) occurs, then this is called constrictive pericarditis which may require surgical stripping of the scar.