Pericarditis

Question 1

Presentation of pericarditis

Answer 1

retrosternal chest pain
- worse with laying down + inspiration, better with sitting forward

SOB

Fever

(Ref: RACGP Pericarditis)

Question 2

Causes of pericarditis

Answer 2

Infection

• viral
• bacterial e.g. TB
• fungal

Autoimmune

• SLE
• RA

Uraemic pericarditis

Drug related

Post cardiac surgery

Question 3

ECG changes of pericarditis

Answer 3

1/ widespread ST segment elevation and PR depression
2/ T wave flattening
3/ T wave inversion
4/ Normal ECG (Several weeks later)

Question 4

Treatment of pericarditis

Answer 4

Neurofen 400mg TDS + PPI
Colchicine for 3/12 in acute & for 6/12 in recurrent pericarditis

Avoid strenuous physical activity

Question 5

Complication of pericarditis

Answer 5

Cardiac tamponade