Pericarditis natural history
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Pericarditis Microchapters |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Surgery |
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Case Studies |
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Pericarditis natural history On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Pericarditis natural history |
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Risk calculators and risk factors for Pericarditis natural history |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
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, a condition known as a pericardial effusion. If the fluid accumulates too rapidly or is too large, then (cardiac tamponade), a condition in which the heart is compressed by the fluid and cannot pump enough blood forward may occur. Cardiac tamponade may require urgent intervention including pericardiocentesis. 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.