Pericarditis Flashcards
1
Q
What is pericarditis?
A
Inflammation of the pericardium, which may be primary or secondary to another disease.
2
Q
Which viruses are commonly involved in primary pericarditis?
A
- Coxsackie virus
- EBV
- HIV
3
Q
Name common causes of pericarditis.
A
- Idiopathic
- Infection (Coxsackie, EBV, TB, HIV, parasites)
- Neoplasms (breast, lung, lymphoma)
- RA, SLE
- Dressler’s (due to MI or cardiac surgery)
- Radiotherapy and trauma
4
Q
How does pericarditis present?
A
- Sharp retrosternal pain (relieved by sitting forward)
- May radiate to left arm or inferiorly
5
Q
What might be found on examination
A
Pericardial rub
6
Q
What will an ECG show?
A
- Global saddle ST elevation
- PR depression
- Inverted T waves
7
Q
What might a CXR show?
A
- Usually normal, may show an enlarged cardiac silhouette if there is an effusion (large and globular)
8
Q
What bloods would you do?
A
- ESR, CRP
- Blood cultures
- ABG
- UsEs (Uraemia can cause pericarditis)
- Thyroid function tests
- Virology
- Autoantibodies
9
Q
How is pericarditis treated?
A
- Treat underlying cause
- NSAIDs and gastroprotection
10
Q
What is constrictive pericarditis?
A
Thickening of a non-expansive pericardium.
11
Q
What is the cause of constrictive pericarditis?
A
Usually:
- idiopathic
- TB
12
Q
What signs may be present with constrictive pericarditis?
A
- Ascites
- Hepatomegaly
- Raised JVP
- Pericardial ‘knock’ on auscultation
