Common causes of acute pericarditis (4)
viral illness, connective tissue or autoimmune diseases (lupus), uremia (renal dysfunction), metastatic tumors
Presneting symptoms of acute pericarditis (2)
Diagnosis of acute pericarditis (6)
Treatment of acute pericarditis
Ibuprofen (NSAIDs)
Pericardial effusion is»»
Fluid around the sac
Common causes of pericardial effusion (5)
Diagnosis of pericardial effusion
echocardiogram - can observe in RA and LA collapsed due to high intrapericardial pressure and then subsequent RV and LV collapse
Pericardial effusion can result in
cardiac tamponade
Cardia tamponade
excessive pericardial fluid compresses the heart and reduces venous return and thus reduces CO (acute emergency)
Clinical manifestations of cardiac tamponade (3)
Decreased venous return due to high intrapericardial pressure → decreased RV and LV output and impaired diastolic filling
a. Due to chronic or acute pericardial effusions
2. Distended neck veins
3. Paradoxical pulse
Paradoxical pulse
inspiration → decrease in arterial systolic pressure >10 mmHg
a. Increased RA/RV filling during inspiration (due to negative pressure created in lungs)
b. RA/RV shifts septum, impinging on LA/LV filling during inspiration → decreased LV filling → decreased LV CO
Diagnosis of cardiac tamponade (3)
Treatment of cardiac tamponade
pericardiocentesis
Cardiac tamponade vs. CHF:
Distinguishing features of Cardiac tamponade (6)
a. Impairment in R heart filling during diastole
b. Lungs are clear
c. Pulsus paradoxus present
d. Distant heart sounds
e. Low voltage and pulsus alternans present
f. ECHO: RA collapse
Cardiac tamponade vs CHF:
Distinguishing features of CHF (6)
a. No impairment in right heart filling, but diminished heart function causes pulmonary and systemic congestion
b. Lungs congested (rales)
c. Pulsus paradoxus NOT present
d. Normal heart sounds with murmurs, S3 and ventricular lifts
e. Low voltage and pulsus alternans NOT present
f. ECHO: poor contractile function, dilation of ventricles
Cardiac tamponade vs CHF:
Similarities (4)
a. JVD
b. Tachycardia
c. Low BP
d. Large cardiac silhouette on XR
Constrictive pericarditis
chronic process, pericardium thickens to the point where it compresses the heart and limits CO
Causes of constrictive pericarditis
Scarring and loss of elasticity of the pericardium
Clinical manifestations of constrictive pericarditis (6)
Diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis
XRAY or ECG
Treatment of constrictive pericarditis
surgical stripping of pericardium
Tamponade vs. constrictive pericarditis:
Similarities (4)
a. Reduced diastolic function, preserved systolic function
b. JVD
c. Tachycardia
d. Low BP
Tamponade vs. constrictive pericarditis:
Distinguishing features of constrictive pericarditis (5)
a. Normal heart silhouette
b. Pericardial calcification
c. Pulsus paradoxus uncommon
d. Slow development over time
e. Accompanied by hepatic congestion, ascites, pedal edema
Process of cardiac depolarization
SA node = pacemaker, initiates electrical impulses
Impulse sent through internodal tracts → wave of depolarization in atrium
→ converges on AV node → DELAY
→ Bundle of His → right and left (anterior/posterior) bundles in ventricles → Purkinje fibers → activate ventricular myocardial cell depolarization/contraction