Acute Pericarditis

Etiology
1. Infections
  1. -Viral -Bacterial -Fungal
2. Metabolic
  1. -Uremia -Myxedema -Acute MI -Neoplasm -Trauma -Radiation
3. Autoimmune
  1. -Rheumatic fever -Drug reaction -Rheumatological diseases -Lupus -Dressler's syndrome -Delayed post myocardial pericardial injury
Pathophysiology & Epidemiology
1. Cardiovascular disorder caused by inflammation of the pericardial sac (pericardium)
2. -85% of cases are viral or idiopathic - Accounts for 5% of emergency department visits for chest pain
Diagnosis
1. Sudden onset of sharp/stabbing chest pain
2. pericardial rub on auscultation
3. ECG
  1. -ST segment elevation -PR segment depression -T wave flattening and inversion
4. Chest X-ray
  1. Pleural effusion
5. CT Scan/ MRI
  1. Visualization of pericardium
6. Labs
  1. Markers for inflammation: -CRP -ESR -WBC
7. Echocardiogram
8. Pericardiocentisis
High risk Patients/ Medical History
1. -Fever (>38C) -Immunosuppression -Pulsus Paradoxus -Lyme Disease -Toxoplasmosis -Anticoagulant treatment
Complications
1. Recurrence of acute pericarditis
2. Pericardial effusion
3. Cardiac tamponade
4. Constructive pericarditis
Clinical Manifestations
1. Persistent chest pain
  1. Aggravated by deep inspiration & lying supine
  2. Radiating pain to neck, arms, & trapezius muscle
2. Dyspnea
3. Pericardial friction rub
4. Fever
5. Fatigue
6. Abdominal & Leg edema
Nursing Interventions

Resource summary

	Created by PatrickNoonan over 11 years ago

	Copied by Miriam Shamou about 6 years ago