Pericarditis

Question 1

What is pericarditis?

Answer 1

Pericarditis is inflammation of the lining around the heart, usually viral cause

Question 2

symptoms of pericarditis?

Answer 2

sharp, constant sternal pain relieved by sitting forward
Pain may radiate to the left shoulder and/or left arm and/or into the abdomen, and is worse when lying on the left side and on inspiration, swallowing, and coughing.
Other symptoms may include fever snd cough

Question 3

Signs of pericarditis?

Answer 3

pericardial friction rub (high pitched scratching sound, best heard over the left sternal border during expiration)

Question 4

Treatment/management of pericarditis?

Answer 4

treat for ACS with GTN and aspirin
pain relief as required
convey to ED

Question 5

ECG changes in pericarditis?

Answer 5

Pericarditis can cause localised ST elevation but there should be no reciprocal ST depression (except in AVR and V1).

Widespread ST-segment changes occur due to involvement of the underlying pericardium