Pericarditis

Pericarditis 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 may be present.

Diagnostic signs include widespread electrocardiographic ST elevation or PR depression and a new or worsening pericardial effusion on echocardiography; blood tests generally suggest systemic inflammation.

Treatment is directed at any underlying systemic disorder. Idiopathic or viral pericarditis responds to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and colchicine.

Complications include chronic recurrent pericarditis, cardiac tamponade, and constrictive pericarditis.

Pericarditis is an inflammation of the pericardium. The acute form is defined as new-onset inflammation lasting <4-6 weeks. It is characterized clinically by a triad of chest pain, pericardial friction rub, and serial electrocardiographic changes. A pericardial effusion may or may not be present. Pericarditis is the most common disease of the pericardium encountered in clinical practice.[1]Adler Y, Charron P, Imazio M, et al. 2015 ESC Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of pericardial diseases. Eur Heart J. 2015;36:2921-64. http://eurheartj.oxfordjournals.org/content/36/42/2921.long http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26320112?tool=bestpractice.com ​