Last reviewed: 2 Feb 2021
Last updated: 17 Jul 2020
Summary
Definition
History and exam
Risk factors
- male sex
- age 20 to 50 years
- transmural MI
- cardiac surgery
- neoplasm
- viral and bacterial infections
- uremia or on dialysis
- systemic autoimmune disorders
- pericardial injury
- mediastinal radiation
Diagnostic investigations
1st investigations to order
- ECG
- serum troponin
- pericardial fluid/blood culture
- ESR
- CRP
- serum BUN
- CBC
- chest x-ray
- echocardiography
Investigations to consider
- chest CT or cardiac MRI
- pericardiocentesis/biopsy
Treatment algorithm
Contributors
Authors
Associate Professor of Medicine
Division of Cardiology
Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions
Baltimore
MD
Disclosures
KW declares that she has no competing interests.
Peer reviewers
Associate Professor of Medicine
Cardiovascular Division
University of PA Medical Center
Philadelphia
PA
Disclosures
VF declares that he has no competing interests.
Consultant Cardiologist
East Surrey Hospital
Surrey and Sussex NHS Trust
Redhill
UK
Disclosures
SB declares that she has no competing interests.
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