pericarditis

Question 1

what is pericarditis?

Answer 1

inflammation of the pericardium

Question 2

what is the pericardium?

Answer 2

thin, fluid filled sac covering the heart

Question 3

what is the pericardium made up of?

Answer 3

outer fibrous pericardial sac and inner serous pericardium

Question 4

what is the inner serous pericardium made up of?

Answer 4

outer parietal and internal visceral layer

Question 5

4 main functions of pericardium?

Answer 5

• lubrication
• fixes the heart in mediastinum
• prevents overfilling of the heart
• physical barrier to prevent infection

Question 6

presentation?

Answer 6

• central chest pain
• worse on inspiration or lying flat
• relieved by sitting forward
• pericardial friction rub may be heard

Question 7

what would be seen on ECG?

Answer 7

saddle shaped ST segment and PR depression (however can be normal in some cases)

Question 8

what would be seen on CXR?

Answer 8

cardiomegaly due to excess fluid build up in pericardium

Question 9

treatment for pericarditis?

Answer 9

NSAIDS/aspirin for 1-2 weeks
+ colchicine for 3 months (to reduce risk of recurrent)
+ corticosteroids if autoimmune

Question 10

Causes?

Answer 10

-idiopathic
Secondary to:
-virus
-bacteria
-autoimmune
-post MI
-drugs
-connective tissue disease
-trauma
-surgery
-malignancy
-chronic heart failure