Pericarditis.pdf

Acute pericarditis Pericarditis is one of the differentials of any patient presenting with chest pain. Features      chest pain: may be pleuritic. Is often relieved by sitting forwards other symptoms include non-productive cough, dyspnoea and flu-like symptoms pericardial rub tachypnoea tachyca...

Acute pericarditis Pericarditis is one of the differentials of any patient presenting with chest pain. Features      chest pain: may be pleuritic. Is often relieved by sitting forwards other symptoms include non-productive cough, dyspnoea and flu-like symptoms pericardial rub tachypnoea tachycardia Causes         viral infections (Coxsackie) tuberculosis uraemia (causes 'fibrinous' pericarditis) trauma post-myocardial infarction, Dressler's syndrome connective tissue disease hypothyroidism malignancy Investigations   ECG changes o the changes in pericarditis are often global/widespread, as opposed to the 'territories' seen in ischaemic events o 'saddle-shaped' ST elevation o PR depression: most specific ECG marker for pericarditis all patients with suspected acute pericarditis should have transthoracic echocardiography Www.Medicalstudyzone.com Management   treat the underlying cause a combination of NSAIDs and colchicine is now generally used for first-line for patients with acute idiopathic or viral pericarditis © Image used on license from Dr Smith, University of Minnesota ECG showing pericarditis. Note the widespread nature of the ST elevation and the PR depression Www.Medicalstudyzone.com