Pericarditis - Definition and Overview

Pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium.

Signs and Symptoms

Chest pain, radiating to the back and relieved by sitting up forward, is the classical presentation. Generalised ST-elevations on ECG may be recorded.

Causes

• Coxsackie viral infection
• Tuberculosis
• Uremia
• Malignancy (paraneoplastic phenomenon)
• lupus
• idiopathic

Treatment

The treatment in viral or idiopathic pericarditis is with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Severe cases may require:

• pericardiocentesis
• antibiotics
• steroids
• surgery