Summary

• Symptoms include sharp, severe retrosternal chest pain worse with inspiration and a supine position.
• The classic physical finding is a pericardial friction rub. A low-grade fever is often present.
• Diagnostic signs include diffuse electrocardiographic ST elevations and at least a small pericardial effusion on echocardiography; blood tests generally suggest systemic inflammation.
• Treatment is directed at any underlying systemic disorder. Idiopathic or viral pericarditis responds to high-dose aspirin, non-steroidal agents, or colchicine.
• Complications include chronic recurrent pericarditis, cardiac tamponade, and constrictive pericarditis.