Acute Pericarditis Flashcards
what is acute pericarditis?
inflammation of the pericardial sac, lasting for less than 4-6 weeks
what are the causes of acute pericarditis?
- viral infections
- TB
- uraemia
- post MI
- radiotherapy
- connective tissue disease
- hypothyroidism
- malignancy
- trauma
what is dressler’s syndrome?
post-MI autoimmune pericarditis
when does dressler’s syndrome present?
weeks to month post-MI
what type of pericarditis presents 1-3 days post-MI?
fibrinous pericarditis
what connective tissue diseases are associated with acute pericarditis?
- SLE
- rheumatoid arthritis
what malignancys are linked to acute pericarditis?
- lung cancer
- breast cancer
what are the features of acute pericarditis?
- chest pain
- pericardial rub
- non-productive cough
- dyspnoea
- flu-like symptoms
describe the chest pain experienced in acute pericarditis
- may be pleuritis
- relieved by sitting forward
what investigations are done in acute pericarditis?
- ECG
- transthoracic echo
- bloods
what ECG changes are seen in acute pericarditis?
changes = global/widespread
* ‘saddle-shaped’ ST elevation
* PR depression
what is the most specific ECG marker for acute pericarditis?
PR depression
what are the high-risk features of acute pericarditis?
- temp >38
- elevated troponin
what viral infection is likely to lead to acute pericarditis?
coxsackie
what is the management for acute idiopathie or viral pericarditis?
NSAIDs + cholchicine for 1-2 weeks (until symptoms resolve)
