What is pericarditis pathophysiology?

In most cases of acute pericarditis, the pericardium is acutely inflamed and has an infiltration of polymorphonuclear (PMN) leukocytes and pericardial vascularization. Often, the pericardium manifests a fibrinous reaction with exudates and adhesions. The pericardium may develop a serous or hemorrhagic effusion.

What is pericarditis Australia?

Pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium. The symptoms are similar to those of heart attack and include chest pain and abnormal heart rhythms.

What is a friction rub in the heart?

A pericardial friction rub is a grating, to-and-fro sound produced by friction of the heart against the pericardium. The sound is similar to that of sandpaper rubbed on wood. Such a sound usually indicates pericarditis.

What causes constrictive pericarditis?

The top 3 causes of constrictive pericarditis are idiopathic (presumably viral), cardiothoracic surgery, and radiation therapy, which, according to one study, are responsible for 46%, 37%, and 9% of cases of constrictive pericarditis, respectively (in patients who underwent surgical therapy of their constriction).

What viruses can cause pericarditis?

The following viral infections can lead to pericarditis:

• Usual viral and cold meningitis caused by a group of viruses (enteroviruses)
• Glandular fever.
• Pneumonia and bronchitis caused by adenoviruses.
• Infections caused by cytomegalovirus.
• Infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (genital herpes and cold sores)

How is pericarditis diagnosed?

How is pericarditis diagnosed?

1. Chest X-ray to see the size of your heart and any fluid in your lungs.
2. Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) to look for changes in your heart rhythm.
3. Echocardiogram (echo) to see how well your heart is working and check for fluid or pericardial effusion around the heart.

What is a heart gallop?

A useful definition is as follows: Cardiac gallop is a mechanical hemodynamic event associated with a relatively rapid rate of ven- tricular filling and accompanied by a ventricular bulge and a low-frequency sound. From this definition several features of the cardiac gallop are evident.

How is pericarditis detected?

Blood tests are usually done to check for signs of a heart attack, inflammation and infection. Other tests used to diagnose pericarditis include: Electrocardiogram (ECG). An electrocardiogram is a quick and painless test that records the electrical signals in your heart.

How long can you live with constrictive pericarditis?

Long-term survival after pericardiectomy depends on the underlying cause. Of common causes, idiopathic constrictive pericarditis has the best prognosis (88% survival at 7 years), followed by constriction due to cardiac surgery (66% at 7 years).

What is the difference between endocarditis and pericarditis?

• Endocarditis is the inflammation of the inner covering of the heart while pericarditis is inflammation of the outer covering of the heart. • Endocarditis presents commonly with palpitation, fever of unknown origin, and chest pain. Pericarditis presents with a chest pain that lessens with bending forwards.

What does pericarditis do to the heart?

A common symptom of pericarditis is chest pain, caused by the sac’s layers becoming inflamed and possibly rubbing against the heart. It may feel like pain from a heart attack.

What does pericarditis feel like?

Symptoms of pericarditis. Pericarditis can feel like a heart attack, with a sharp or stabbing pain in your chest that comes on suddenly. The pain can be in the middle or left side of your chest, behind the breastbone. Pain may radiate to your shoulders, neck, arms, or jaw.

Can pericarditis be caused by cancer?

Anything else that causes inflammation, such as cancer , can also cause pericarditis. Certain medications can also be a cause. Most of the time, pericarditis resolves on its own.