PERICARDITIS Flashcards
What is pericarditis
Inflammation of pericardium
What is acute and chronic pericarditis
Acute <3months
Chronic > 3months
Causes of pericarditis
Viral
Bacterial
Fungal
Tuberculosis
Rheumatic fever
Post-cardiotomy
Post MI
Uraemia
Autoimmune diseases
Symptoms of pericarditis
Chest pain
Palpitation
FatigueN
Nature of pain in pericarditis
Retrosternal or left precordial chest pain (worsens with lying down and improves with sitting and leaning forward)S
Signs of pericarditis
Fever
Malaise
Myalgia
Pericardial friction rub
Fast and regular heart rate
Distant heart sounds (if there is a large effusion)
Treatment objectives in pericarditis
To relieve pain
To treat underlying cause
To prevent cardiac tamponade
Investigations in pericarditis
FBC
Chest X-ray
Chest CT scan
ECG
Echocardiography
Antistreptolysin (ASO) titre
ASO titre
Antistreptolysin O (ASO) titer is a blood test to measure antibodies against streptolysin O, a substance produced by group A streptococcus bacteria.
Treatment of acute pericarditis
Ibuprofen
and
Colchicine or Prednisolone
Dose of ibuprofen for pericarditis
Adults
300-800 mg 6-8 hourly
Children
7-18 years; 200 mg 6-8 hourly
2-7 years; 100 mg 6-8 hourly
1-2 years; 50 mg 6-8 hourly
6-12 months; 50 mg 8 hourly
1-6 months; 5 mg/kg 6-8 hourly
Dose of colchicine for pericarditis
Adults
0.5 mg 12 hourly
Children
Not recommendedD
Dose of prednisolone in pericarditis
Adults
40 mg daily for 14 days and taper off
Children
2 mg/kg daily for 14 days and taper off
Prednisolone is used in these types of pericarditis
Uraemic pericarditis
Connective tissue diseases
Non-pharmacological interventions in pericarditis
Bed rest
Pericardiocentesis
