Pericarditis

Question 1

What is the patho physiology of pericarditis?

Answer 1

Inflammation from injury/infection leads to increased capillary permeability and exudate formation in the pericardial space

Question 2

What results of the exudate formation in the pericardial space?

Answer 2

Exudate puts external pressure on the heart which leads to decreased filling of the heart and decreased emptying which is a decreased CO

Question 3

What types of exudate can form in the pericardial sac?

Answer 3

Fibrinous or fluid exudate

Question 4

Is it better to have fluid or fibrin out exudate in pericarditis?

Answer 4

Fluid exudate because it displaces much easier during atrial and ventricular filling

Question 5

What type of scar tissue is present in constrictive pericarditis?

Answer 5

Fibrinous scar tissue

Question 6

In pericarditis, left sided lung infection often leads to ____ sided heart infection

Answer 6

Left

Question 7

What are the “triad” manifestations of pericarditis?

Answer 7

Chest pain (especially during respiration and movement due to aggravating tissue) 
Pericardial rub
ECG changes

Question 8

What is the treatment for pericarditis?

Answer 8

Anti inflammatory drugs

Antibiotics if bacterial

Question 9

What is pericarditis?

Answer 9

It is the inflammation of the pericardial space due to infection or injury