Acute pericarditis

Inflammation of the pericardium

Acute pericarditis is an inflammation of the pericardium, the fibrous sac surrounding the heart. It is a common condition that can cause significant chest pain and other symptoms.

Signs and symptoms

The primary symptom of acute pericarditis is sharp, stabbing chest pain that may radiate to the neck, shoulder, or back. The pain is often worsened by lying down or taking a deep breath and relieved by sitting up and leaning forward. Other symptoms may include fever, cough, and dyspnea (shortness of breath).

Causes

Acute pericarditis can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

• Viral infections (most common)
• Bacterial infections
• Fungal infections
• Autoimmune disorders such as systemic lupus erythematosus
• Myocardial infarction (heart attack)
• Trauma or injury to the chest
• Cancer
• Kidney failure
• Certain medications

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of acute pericarditis is typically based on clinical presentation and may be supported by diagnostic tests such as:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG) - often shows characteristic changes such as widespread ST elevation
• Echocardiogram - can assess for pericardial effusion
• Chest X-ray
• Blood tests - to check for markers of inflammation and infection

ECG showing changes typical of acute pericarditis

Treatment

Treatment of acute pericarditis depends on the underlying cause but often includes:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen
• Colchicine to reduce inflammation
• Corticosteroids in certain cases
• Treatment of the underlying cause, such as antibiotics for bacterial infections

Complications

Complications of acute pericarditis can include:

• Pericardial effusion
• Cardiac tamponade
• Chronic pericarditis
• Constrictive pericarditis

Prognosis

The prognosis for acute pericarditis is generally good, especially when treated promptly. Most patients recover fully, although some may experience recurrent episodes.

Related pages

• Pericardium
• Pericardial effusion
• Cardiac tamponade
• Constrictive pericarditis

Gallery

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  Illustration of acute pericarditis