Acute pericarditis

Question 1

what is the aetiology of acute pericarditis?

Answer 1

idiopathic
viral (i.e. coxsackie viruses)
post-MI / Dressler's syndrome 
tuberculosis 
connective tissue disease
malignancy 
hypothyroidism 
uraemia 
trauma

Question 2

what is the presentation of acute pericarditis?

Answer 2

chest pain - pleuritic, relieved when leaning forward
dyspnoea
non-productive cough
flu-like symptoms

Question 3

what are the clinical signs of acute pericarditis?

Answer 3

pleural rub on auscultation 
tachycardia
tachypnoea 
ECG changes 
if pericardial effusion
- muffled heart sounds 
- increased cardiac dullness 
- pericardial rub 
- decreased breath sounds and crackles (if large effusion causing compression of left lung)

Question 4

what ECG changes are found in acute pericarditis?

Answer 4

wide spread changes
PR depression
saddle shaped ST elevation

Question 5

what is the management for acute pericarditis?

Answer 5

treat underlying cause

NSAIDS & colchicine for viral and idiopathic pericarditis

Question 6

what are complications associated with acute pericarditis?

Answer 6

pericardial effusion
tamponade
constrictive pericarditis
myocarditis