Pericardial Disease Flashcards
The heart has an outer layer that covers it called the pericardium. The pericardium covers the heart and the roots of the great vessels (aorta etc.). It has 2 layers, which are called what?
1 - endocardium
2 - visceral (also called serous layer)
3 - parietal
4 - myocardium
2 - visceral (also called serous layer)
- contact with myocardium
3 - parietal
- contact with fibrous pericardium
The pericardial cavity is the space contained between the pericardium layers (visceral and parietal)?
1 - blood vessels that supply coronary blood vessels
2 - lymphatic fluid drained from the heart
3 - serous fluid
4 - air
3 - serous fluid
- acts as a cushion for the heart
- typically there is <50ml fluid
In addition to providing a cushion for the heart, what is another key function of the pericardium?
1 - supply blood to coronary blood vessels
2 - drain lymphatic fluid from the heart
3 - anchor heart to mediastinum
4 - all of the above
3 - anchor heart to mediastinum
- ensures heart is not twisted, which would obstruct the great vessels
What is the name of the layer that surrounds the parietal pericardium?
1 - mediastinum
2 - fibrous pericardium
3 - endocardium
4 - pericardium obstructor
2 - fibrous pericardium
- ensures heart cannot over stretch
Pericardial disease is due to an inflammation of the pericardium. This can be caused by all of the following, EXCEPT which one?
1 - virus
2 - bacteria
3 - fungi/parasite
4 - metabolic disturbances
5 - autoimmune
6 - MI
7 - drugs
8 - idiopathic
6 - MI
If the cause of pericarditis is due to a viral infection, which of the following is NOT a common cause?
1 - coxsackie vurys
2 - herpes virus
3 - adenoviruses
4 - aspergillus
4 - aspergillus
- this is a fungal cause
Procalcitonin is a biomarker present in the blood. If this is high, does it indicate inflammation/viral infection or a bacterial infection?
- bacterial infection
Pericardial disease is due to an inflammation of the pericardium. Patients with acute pericarditis can present acutely. They can present with chest pain where?
1 - severe retrosternal chest pain
2 - neck
3 - shoulders and back
4 - painful on each breath
5 - all of the above
5 - all of the above
- painful on each breath as the pericardium is compressed as the lungs expand
Pericardial disease is due to an inflammation of the pericardium. Patients with acute pericarditis can present acutely. They can present with severe retrosternal chest pain that radiates to the neck, shoulders and back. It is worse with each breath as the expanding lungs compress the pericardium. Is the pain lessened when the patient is supine and lying or sitting and leaning forwards?
- sitting and leaning forwards
- reduces pressure on the pericardium
If a patient has pericarditis due to a viral infection, which of the following symptoms may they present with?
1 - fever and malaise
2 - myalgia
3 - arthralgia
4 - URTI symptoms
5 - pericardial rub
6 - all of the above
5 - all of the above
If a patient has pericarditis, which of the following could be present on an ECG?
1 - ST elevation
2 - PR depression
3 - tachycardia
4 - all of the above
4 - all of the above
- 60% of patients have concave upward ST elevation in most, if not all leads, almost saddle shaped
- PR depression is more specific
When trying to diagnose a patient with pericarditis, we can perform a full blood workup. Which 4 of the following are likely to be raised in myocarditis?
1 - troponin
2 - CRP
3 - Na+
4 - BNP
5 - ESR
6 - WBC
7 - D-dimer
1 - troponin
2 - CRP
5 - ESR
6 - WBC
When trying to diagnose a patient with pericarditis, we can perform a chest X-ray and/or echocardiogram. What may we see?
1 - pericardial effusion
2 - tracheal deviation
3 - cardiomegaly
4 - hyper-inflated lungs
1 - pericardial effusion
- looks like a water bottle
- typically there is <50ml fluid
When treating a patient with pericarditis which of the following medications should be used in the 1st 1-2 weeks?
1 - NSAIDs
2 - anti-emetics
3 - aspirin
4 - all of the above
4 - all of the above
- relieves pain and hopefully the cause will settle on its own
When treating a patient with pericarditis, they are often given NSAIDs and/or aspirin with anti-emetics to protect the stomach for 1-2 weeks. If the pericarditis is not relieving, what should be added for a period of 3 months to reduce the risk of re-occurrence?
1 - vancomycin
2 - colchicine
3 - IL-1 antagonists
4 - steroids
2 - colchicine
- anti-inflammatory properties and inhibits neutrophil motility
- steroids, IL-1 antagonists and other medications may be used by a specialist only