Pericarditis & Cardiac Tamponade Flashcards
pericarditis is
inflammation of pericardium
pericardium is the
membrane around the heart
pericarditis is due to
infection or injury
_________ will accumulate between membrane & wall of heart
exudate
what type of exudate will accumulate
- fibrinous exudate
- Fluid (serous) exudate
Inflammation causes _________
increased capillary permeability which causes exudate in pericardial space
which exudate accumulation is more problematic?
- fibrinous because it is fixed, constrictive, restricts filling & restricts cardiac function
- serous exudate can be displaced
constrictive pericarditis =
fibrinous scar tissue
Mnfts of pericarditis
(triad - 3 Specific)
- Chest pain, exaggerated by respiration & movement
- pericardial rub (friction rub) (audible)
- serial ECG changes
Diagnosing pericarditis
- Mnfts
- ECG
- x-ray
- echo
treatment of pericarditis
- based on cause (infection vs injury) (bacterial vs viral)
- anti-inflammatory drugs
- Antibiotics (if due to bacterial infection)
pericarditis may lead to
cardiac tamponade
cardiac tamponade is
external compression of the heart
cardiac tamponade is due to
accumulation of fluid, pus, air in pericardial space
cardiac tamponade can restrict
filling & emptying of the heart (Can be life threatening)
