What Is the Classic Clinical Presentation of Pericarditis?

Discussion The pericardium is a bi-layered membrane that envelops the heart and provides a barrier to prevent disease and also decreases friction as the heart moves. Pericarditis is the inflammation of pericardium. The incidence is underreported as asymptomatic or mild disease may go unrecognized. From hospitalized patient data, 0.2-5% of patients with various cardiac disease had pericarditis. An incidence rate for hospitalizations of 3.32 per 100,000 person years has been cited. Percarditis occurs more often in adolescent males. Treatment of the underlying cause or suspected cause is important, along with close monitoring for worsening effusion and/or other worsening physical examination signs. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications are helpful to decrease pain and to reduce inflammation. Colchicine is used for recurrent pericarditis which can occur in up to 10% of patients. Steroid therapy is used usually when there is an underlying systemic inflammatory disease. Other options include azothioprine, anakinra or intravenous immunoglobulins. In the developed world viral etiology or presumed viral etiology are 80-90% of cases. Worldwide tuberculosis is the most common cause and is associated with a high incidence of co-infection with human immunodeficiency virus. Viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, autoimmune, neoplastic, metabolic and drugs can cause pericarditis. In the developed world the causes of pericarditis are similar to myocarditis which can be reviewed here. Pro...
Source: PediatricEducation.org - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: Uncategorized Source Type: news