Pericarditis

Question 1

What causes acute pericarditis?

Answer 1

Any generic URTI virus, uraemia, post-MI, SLE.

Question 2

What is this a presentation of?
Central chest pain worse on inspiration or lying flat, relief on sitting forwards. ECG shows PR depression, widespread saddle shaped ST elevation.

Answer 2

Acute pericarditis

Question 3

What is the treatment for acute pericarditis?

Answer 3

NSAIDs/aspirin with gastric protection for 2 weeks, add colchicine.

Question 4

What are the signs of constrictive pericarditis?

Answer 4

Mainly RHF signs (peripheral oedema, raised JVP), Kussmaul’s sign.

Question 5

How is constrictive pericarditis differentiated from other forms of constriction, and how is it treated?

Answer 5

1. CT/MRI helps distinguish from restrictive cardiomyopathy.

2. Diuretics, salt restriction, surgical.