Pericarditis (pronunciation: peri·car·di·tis) is a heart condition. It is the swelling and irritation of the pericardium.[1]
Pericarditis | |
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An ECG showing pericarditis, with ST elevation in multiple leads and slight reciprocal ST depression in aVR. | |
Medical specialty | Cardiology |
Symptoms | Sharp chest pain, better sitting up and worse with lying down, fever[2] |
Complications | Cardiac tamponade, myocarditis, constrictive pericarditis[2][3] |
Usual onset | Typically sudden[2] |
Duration | Few days to weeks[4] |
Causes | Viral infection, tuberculosis, uremic pericarditis, following a heart attack, cancer, autoimmune disorders, chest trauma[5][6] |
Diagnostic method | Based on symptoms, electrocardiogram, fluid around the heart[7] |
Differential diagnosis | Heart attack[2] |
Treatment | NSAIDs, colchicine, corticosteroids[7] |
Prognosis | Usually good[7][8] |
Frequency | 3 per 10,000 per year[3] |
Pericarditis can be acute pericarditis or chronic pericarditis. A typical symptom of acute pericarditis is a sharp, pricking chest pain taking place rapidly. It is felt in the midst or left side of chest. There may be pain in one or both shoulders.[9]
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