Pericarditis

 Diagram of Pericarditis

Pericarditis is inflammation of any of the layers of the pericardium.. The most common type is acute pericarditis and caused by viral infection, after a heart attack, trauma and radiation. As a result of irritation to the pericardium, there is a chest pain this pain is different from angina and that may extend to the left shoulder and down to left arm. It is made worse when lying down, coughing or swallowing and is relieved by sitting forward. Moreover, the symptoms of pericarditis included low-grade fever, increase in heart-rate and pericardial friction rub. Acute pericarditis usually lasts for about one week and is treated with drugs that reduce inflammation and pain such as ibuprofen.


Chronic pericarditis begins gradually and is long-lasting. In one form of this condition, there is a buildup of pericardial fluid. If a great deal of fluids accumulates, there is a life-threatening condition because the fluid compresses the heart, a condition called cardiac tamponade. As a result of the compression, ventricular filling is decreased, cardiac output is reduced, venous return to the heart is diminished, blood pressure falls and breathing is difficult. Most causes of chronic pericarditis involving cardiac tamponade are unknown and sometimes caused by cancer and tuberculosis. Treatment consists by condition of draining the excess fluid through a needle passed into the pericardial cavity.

Source: http://www.metrohealth.org/body.cfm?id=1487