Pericardial Disease (Exam 1)

Question 1

Myocarditis

Answer 1

Inflammatory disease of the myocardium (muscle layer of the heart)

Can range from a mild disorder to a lethal condition

Question 2

Myocarditis inflammation can cause

Answer 2

degeneration and necrosis of cardiac myocytes

Conduction disruption (dysrythmias)

Question 3

What is the most common cause of myocarditis

Answer 3

Viruses

Coxsackievirus A and B account for a large proportion of the cases

Question 4

Pericarditits

Answer 4

When the pericardium undergoes inflammation, fluid accumulates in the pericardial space

Question 5

The fluid is the pericardial space is called?

Answer 5

Pericardial effusion and it surrounds the heart

Edema in the pericardial space

Question 6

Cardiac Tamponade

Answer 6

When the pleural fluid accumulates to high levels of 200 mL or greater and compresses the heart

The heart cannot stretch and fill with blood because of the fluid build up

Question 7

Is a cardiac tamponade a medical emergency?

Answer 7

Yes the fluid needs to be drained quickly or the patient will die

Question 8

Signs of acute pericarditis

Answer 8

Chest pain (worsen with deep breath)
Fever
Dyspnea
Pericardial friction rub (Scratching)
ECG findings of ST elevation

Question 9

Symptoms of cardiac tamponade

Answer 9

BECK TRIAD

Hypotension (Decrease CO)
Jugular vein distention
Muffled heart sounds

Question 10

Pulsus Paradoxus occurs in

Answer 10

70-80% of patient with cardiac tamponade

Question 11

Pulsus Paradoxus

Answer 11

Is a decrease in systolic blood pressure of 10 mm Hg or more with inspiration

(Might see with a patient arterial line)

Question 12

Pericarditis Treatment

Answer 12

NSAID
ASA
Corticosteroids
Colchicine (gout) (Work when NSAIDS do not)

Question 13

Cardiac Tamponade Treatment

Answer 13

Pericardiocentesis