Pericarditis

Question 1

What are some infectious causes of pericarditis in the developed world?

Answer 1

Coxsackie
Covid-19
EBV
Herpes
Hep C
HIV

Question 2

What are some non-infectious causes of pericarditis?

Answer 2

Lupus
RA
Bechets
Myxoedema coma
Dresslers syndrome

Question 3

What % of non-ischaemic chest pain cases does pericarditis make up in the ED?

Answer 3

5%

10-15% of these will have myopericarditis
1-2% of these will have
Majority develop reversible restrictive myopericarditis

Question 4

What are the diagnostic criteria of pericarditis?

Answer 4

Must have 2 of 4:

Pericarditic chest pain
Typical ECG changes (60%)
Pericardial effusion
Pericardial rub

Additional criteria: CRP/ESR
Cardiac MRI

Question 5

What is the distinguishing feature of Dresslers syndrome from other forms of percarditis?

Answer 5

Pleural effusion

Question 6

What is a treatment regimen for pericarditis?

Answer 6

Aspirin (750-1000mg Q8! For 1-2 weeks decrease 250-500mg week) OR NSAID (600mg Q8 1-2 weeks) AND Colchicine 0.5mg OD-BD

Steroid is second line!
Weaning off causes acute recurrence of pericarditis (w/ worse Sx)

Exercise restriction MINIMUM of 2 weeks from when patients is last symptomatic