Pericardial Disease Flashcards
myocarditis
inflammatory disease of the myocardium that can range from a mild disorder to a lethal condition
what is common in myocarditis?
conduction disruption
most common causes of myocarditis
viruses (Coxsackie viruses A and B)
treatment for myocarditis
–antiflammatories
–antivirals
–transplant (severe)
pericarditis
when the pericardium undergoes inflammation and fluid collects in the pericardial space
pericardial effusion
when fluid collects in the pericardium surrounding the heart
cardiac tamponade
if the fluid in the pericardium accumulates to a high level (>200 mL), it can compress the heart
physiology of cardiac tamponade
heart chambers are restricted by the surrounding pericardial fluid so they cannot stretch and fill with blood
signs of acute pericarditis
–chest pain (sharp, worsens with deep breathing)
–fever
–dyspnea
–pericardial friction rub
–ECG findings of ST elevations
–pulsus paradoxus
pericardial friction rub
scratching sound can be heard through the stethoscope
symptoms of cardiac tamponade (Beck triad)
–hypotension
–jugular vein distention
–muffled heart sounds
cause of hypotension in cardiac tamponade
decreased cardiac output
cause of JVD in cardiac tamponade
backfilling of blood from decreased contractility
EKG changes in pericarditis
–sinus tach
–widespread concave ST elevation
–PR depression
–Spodick’s sign (downsloping TP segments)
pulsus paradoxus
decrease in systolic BP of 10 mmHg or more with inspiration
