Pericarditis

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Acute pericarditis is an inflammation of the pericardium characterized by chest pain, pericardial friction rub, and serial electrocardiographic (ECG) changes. Pericarditis is a swelling and irritation of the pericardium, the thin sac-like membrane that surrounds your heart. Pericarditis often causes chest pain and sometimes other symptoms. Pericarditis is usually sudden and short-lived. When symptoms develop more gradually or persist, the pericarditis is considered chronic. The sharp chest pain associated with pericarditis occurs when the inflamed or irritated two layers of the pericardium rub against each other. Mild cases may improve on their own. Treatment for more-severe cases may include medications and, rarely, surgery. Early diagnosis and treatment may help to reduce the risk of long-term complications. Symptoms include sharp, severe retrosternal chest pain worse with inspiration and a supine position. The classic physical finding is a pericardial friction rub. A low-grade fever is often present. Diagnostic signs include diffuse electrocardiographic ST elevations and at least a small pericardial effusion on echocardiography; blood tests generally suggest systemic inflammation. Treatment is directed at any underlying systemic disorder. Idiopathic or viral pericarditis responds to high-dose aspirin, nonsteroidal agents, or colchicine. Complications include chronic recurrent pericarditis, cardiac tamponade, and constrictive pericarditis.

Symptoms:

Laboratory Test Procedures:

shortness of breath
chest pain
built-up fluid in the heart or lungs
sharp, piercing chest pain over the center or left side of your chest
coughing
difficulty breathing when lying down
fever
fatigue
malaise
abdomen swelling
ankles swelling
feet swelling

Troponin
Creatine Kinase
AST (SGOT)
LDH Lactate dehydrogenase
ESR - Sed Rate
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
High Sensitive CRP
WBC
Neutrophil %
Neutrophil Absolute
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