acute pericarditis

Question 1

causes of acute pericarditis

Answer 1

viral infections
tuberculosis
uraemia
post-MI
radiotherapy
connective tissue disease- SLE, RA
hypothyroidism
malignancy
trauma

Question 2

features of pericarditis

Answer 2

chest pain: pleuritic, relieved by sitting forwards
non-productive cough, dyspnoea, flu like symptoms
pericardial rub

Question 3

investigations in pericarditis

Answer 3

ECG changes: widespread ST elevation, saddle-shaped ST elevation, PR depression
transthoracic echocardiography
bloods: inflammatory markers and troponin

Question 4

management of pericarditis

Answer 4

management outpatient unless have fever
treat underlying cause
NSAIDs and colchicine