Acute pericarditis

Question 1

Features

Answer 1

Pericarditis can lead to three distinct types of pain

1). pleuritic (the commonest)

aggravated by;

• cough
• deep inspiration
• sometimes by swallowing

relieved by; sitting up and forward

2) . Steady, crushing, retrosternal pain that mimics myocardial infarction
3) . Pain synchronous with the heartbeat and felt over the praecordium and left shoulder

Question 2

The cardinal sign is

Answer 2

a pericardial friction rub

Question 3

Treatment

Answer 3

mainly involves pain control with aspirin or indomethacin.