Pericarditis Flashcards
what is it?
inflammation of pericardium
causes
idiopathic viral systemic autoimmune disorders systemic immune responses bacterial fungal parasitic neoplastic uraemic drug-related
viral causes
EBV coxsackie mumps CMV varicella HIV parovirus often previous URTI
who is it common in?
more common in males than females
younger people - 20-50
risk factors
cardiac surgery
transmural MI
systemic autoimmune disorders
investigations
bloods FBC CRP U&Es CXR ECG VBG repeat troponin
blood results
normal CXR
widespread ST elevation on ECG
raised CRP
raised troponin
clinical features
sharp pleuritic chest pain
pain worse on lying down and relieved by leaning forward
pain radiates to trapezius ridges due to phrenic nerve
not related to exertion or relieved by GTN
pericardial rub
if coupled with fever cause is infectious
widespread ST elevation
pericardial effusion - signs of heart failure
treatment
NSAIDs
discharge
manage underlying cause
observe for complications
complications
pericardial effusion
how to treat pericardial effusion
pericardiocentesis
