Pericarditis

Question 1

What is pericarditis?

Answer 1

Inflammation of the pericardium (surrounding of the heart)

Question 2

What are the symptoms of pericarditis?

Answer 2

Low grade fever
Central chest pain- non radiating. Non pleuritic chest pain.
Pain worse on lying down.

Question 3

What are signs of pericarditis?

Answer 3

On ECG- wide spread ST elevation
‘Saddle shaped’
PR depression

Pericardial friction rub

Question 4

What are causes of pericarditis?

Answer 4

Viral- EBV, HIV
Autoimmune
Idiopathic
Injury
Cancer
Medication

Question 5

What is the management?

Answer 5

NSAIDs for pain control
Colchicine- long term to reduce risk of recurrence
Steroids= 2nd line
- if autoimmune cause as well

Treat underlying cause.