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Pericarditis Health Channel

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Pericardium
Pericarditis

Pericarditis

Definition

Pericarditis is a condition in which the sac-like covering around the heart (pericardium) becomes inflamed.

See also: Bacterial pericarditis

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Pericarditis is usually a complication of viral infections, most commonly echovirus or coxsackie virus. Less frequently, it is caused by influenza or HIV infection.

Infections with bacteria can lead to bacterial pericarditis (also called purulent pericarditis). Some fungal infections can also produce pericarditis.

In addition, pericarditis can be associated with diseases such as:

Other causes include:

Often the cause of pericarditis remains unknown. In this case, the condition is called idiopathic pericarditis.

Pericarditis most often affects men aged 20-50. It usually follows respiratory infections. In children, it is most commonly caused by adenovirus or coxsackie virus.

Symptoms

  • Ankle, feet and leg swelling (occasionally)
  • Anxiety
  • Breathing difficulty when lying down
  • Chest pain, caused by the inflamed pericardium rubbing against the heart
    • May radiate to the neck, shoulder, back or abdomen
    • Often increases with deep breathing and lying flat, and may increase with coughing and swallowing
    • Pleuritis type: a sharp, stabbing pain
    • Usually relieved by sitting up and leaning forward
  • Dry cough
  • Fatigue
  • Fever
  • Need to bend over or hold the chest while breathing

Signs and tests

When listening to the heart with a stethoscope, the health care provider can hear a sound called a pericardial rub. The heart sounds may be muffled or distant. There may be other signs of fluid in the pericardium (pericardial effusion).

If the disorder is severe, there may be:

  • Crackles in the lungs
  • Decreased breath sounds
  • Other signs of fluid in the space around the lungs (pleural effusion)

If fluid has built up in the pericardial sac, it may show on:

These tests show:

Other findings vary depending on the cause of pericarditis.

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More Articles

Pericarditis - constrictive (3 images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Constrictive pericarditis is long-term(chronic) inflammation of the sac-like covering of the heart(the pericardium) with thickening, scarring, and muscle tightening( contracture).Reviewer: Larry A. Weinrauch, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, and Private practice specializing in Cardiovascular Disease, Watertown, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 05/12/2008

Pericarditis - after heart attack (3 images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Pericarditis is inflammation and swelling of the covering of the heart(pericardium). The condition can occur in the days or weeks following a heart attack.Dressler syndrome; Post-MI pericarditis; Post-cardiac injury syndrome; Postcardiotomy perica...Reviewer: Larry A. Weinrauch, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Cardiovascular Disease and Clinical Outcomes Research, Watertown, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. Date: 09/03/2008

Pericarditis - bacterial (4 images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Bacterial pericarditis is irritation and swelling of the sac that surrounds the heart(pericardium), due to infection by bacteria.Reviewer: Alan Berger, MD, Assistant Professor, Divisions of Cardiology and Epidemiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 05/15/2008

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