Acute pericarditis

Acute Pericarditis

Acute pericarditis (pronounced: a-kyoot per-i-kar-DIE-tis) is a condition characterized by inflammation of the pericardium, the thin sac-like membrane surrounding the heart.

Etymology

The term "acute pericarditis" is derived from the Greek words "akutus" meaning sharp or severe, and "perikardion" referring to the pericardium.

Definition

Acute pericarditis is a type of pericardial disease that typically presents with sudden onset of chest pain and is often associated with a pericardial friction rub and changes in the electrocardiogram. It is usually a self-limited disease but can occasionally progress to cardiac tamponade or constrictive pericarditis.

Symptoms

The most common symptom of acute pericarditis is sharp, stabbing chest pain behind the breastbone or in the left side of the chest. Other symptoms may include shortness of breath when reclining, heart palpitations, low-grade fever, fatigue, and swelling of the abdomen or extremities.

Causes

Acute pericarditis is most often caused by viral infections such as coxsackievirus, echovirus, or HIV. Other causes can include bacterial or fungal infections, autoimmune diseases, kidney failure, cancer, or as a result of a heart attack or heart surgery.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of acute pericarditis is based on the patient's medical history, physical examination, and the results of medical tests, including electrocardiograms, echocardiograms, and blood tests.

Treatment

Treatment for acute pericarditis depends on the cause and severity of the condition. It may include medications to reduce inflammation and pain, and in severe cases, surgery may be required to drain fluid from the pericardium.

Related Terms

• Pericardium
• Pericardial disease
• Cardiac tamponade
• Constrictive pericarditis
• Coxsackievirus
• Echovirus
• HIV
• Autoimmune diseases
• Cancer

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Acute pericarditis
• Wikipedia's article - Acute pericarditis

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