pericarditis Flashcards
1
Q
what is pericarditis?
A
inflammation of the pericardium
2
Q
what is the pericardium?
A
thin, fluid filled sac covering the heart
3
Q
what is the pericardium made up of?
A
outer fibrous pericardial sac and inner serous pericardium
4
Q
what is the inner serous pericardium made up of?
A
outer parietal and internal visceral layer
5
Q
4 main functions of pericardium?
A
- lubrication
- fixes the heart in mediastinum
- prevents overfilling of the heart
- physical barrier to prevent infection
6
Q
presentation?
A
- central chest pain
- worse on inspiration or lying flat
- relieved by sitting forward
- pericardial friction rub may be heard
7
Q
what would be seen on ECG?
A
saddle shaped ST segment and PR depression (however can be normal in some cases)
8
Q
what would be seen on CXR?
A
cardiomegaly due to excess fluid build up in pericardium
9
Q
treatment for pericarditis?
A
NSAIDS/aspirin for 1-2 weeks
+ colchicine for 3 months (to reduce risk of recurrent)
+ corticosteroids if autoimmune
10
Q
Causes?
A
-idiopathic Secondary to: -virus -bacteria -autoimmune -post MI -drugs -connective tissue disease -trauma -surgery -malignancy -chronic heart failure
