Cardiology - Acute pericarditis Flashcards
What is pericarditis?
Inflammation of the lining of the heart
What is acute pericarditis identified?
acute-onset chest pain
characteristic ECG features (e.g. saddle ST elevation)
What is chronic pericarditis identified?
over 3 months, usually after acute episode.
Complications include chronic pericardial effusion (fluid build up) and constrictive pericarditis due to scarring
What is Myocarditis?
inflammation of the myocardium, which is the muscular tissue of the heart
What is Perimyocarditis?
inflammation of both the pericardial sac and myocardium with a primarily myocarditic syndrome
What is Myopericarditis?
inflammation of both pericardial sac and myocardium with a primarily pericarditic syndrome
What do raised troponin suggest?
Myocardial involvement (i.e. myopericarditis)
What four features is the diagnosis of acute pericarditis based on?
Chest pain
Pericardial friction rub
Characteristic ECG features
Pericardial effusion
What is pericardial friction rub?
a sound similar to that of sandpaper rubbed on wood produced by the friction of the heart against the pericardium. usually indicates pericarditis
What are four symptoms of acute pericardirtis?
Chest pain
Fever
Breathlessness
cough
What are the characteristics of chest pain caused by acute pericarditis?
Worse of inspiration, and better leaning forward and sitting up
What are signs of cardiac tampondade?
Muffled heart sounds
Distended JVP
Fall in BP during inspiration
hypotension
What are the characteristic ECG findings for pericarditis?
A saddle shaped ST elevation with PR depression
How could myocardial infarction and acute pericarditis be distinguished using an ECG?
T wave changes and Q waves are more likely myocardial infarction
What is the treatment for idiopathic/viral acute pericarditis?
NSAIDS/Aspirin, colchine as an adjunct to the NSAID, or primary treatment if theres contraindications
