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 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 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 can be either fibrinous (dry) or effusive with a purulent, serous, or hemorrhagic exudate. It is characterized clinically by a triad of chest pain, pericardial friction rub, and serial electrocardiographic changes. Constrictive pericarditis impedes normal diastolic filling and can be a medium to late complication of acute pericarditis. Pericarditis is the most common disease of the pericardium encountered in clinical practice.