Inflammation of the outer covering of the heart (pericardium).
Inflammation of the sac enclosing the heart and its vessels, known as the pericardium.
The double-layered sac that surrounds the heart, and the major blood vessels around it. It may be due to infection, trauma, neoplastic disease, or myocardial infarction, or it may result from unknown causes. Symptoms include fever, dry cough, difficulty in breathing, pain below the sternum (breastbone), often radiating upward, rapid pulse, and increasing anxiety and fatigue; untreated, it can lead to restricted heart action due to effusion. Treatment depends on the cause; it may include antibiotics, analgesics, removal of accumulated fluid, oxygen, and measures to lower fever.
Inflammation of the heart muscle which may have bacterial, viral, fungal, autoimmune or other etiology. Key symptoms include an audible friction rub upon auscultation, fever, cough, and chest pain that worsens when lying down.
Inflammation of the pericardium, the thin, fluid-filled sac that surrounds the heart. When the pericardium becomes inflamed, it may cause pain as the heart moves against it. In addition, excess fluid can accumulate inside the pericardium and restrict the ability of the heart to beat. If fluid buildup prevents the heart from pumping sufficient blood to the body, an emergency situation known as tamponade results and the person requires immediate treatment. Pericarditis may be either acute (temporary) or chronic (persistent and recurring).
Acute or chronic inflammation of the membranous sac (pericardium) surrounding the heart. Pericarditis may be seen alone or as part of pancarditis. It has numerous causes, including virus infections, uremia, and cancer. Acute pericarditis is characterized by fever, chest pain, and a pericardial friction rub. Fluid may accumulate within the pericardial sac (pericardial effusion). Rarely, chronic thickening of the pericardium (chronic constrictive pericarditis) develops. This interferes with activity of the heart and has many features in common with heart failure, including edema, pleural effusions, ascites, and engorgement of the veins. Constrictive pericarditis most often results from tubercular infection.
Acute or chronic inflammation of the perl cardium, the membranous sac that surrounds the heart. It may occur-on its own or as part of pancarditis, when inflammation also affects the myocardium and endocardium (membranous lining of the inside of the heart). Various causes include virus infection, cancer and uraemia.
Inflammation of the pericardium, marked by chest pain, fever, and an audible friction rub.
Pericarditis is the inflammation of the pericardium, the protective membrane that surrounds the heart.
Pericarditis, an inflammation of the double-layered membrane encompassing the heart, commonly results in chest pain and fever. This condition might also cause an accumulation of fluid within the pericardial space, which lies between the two smooth layers of the pericardium. This surplus fluid could exert pressure on the heart and limit its functionality.
Prolonged inflammation can lead to a condition referred to as constrictive pericarditis, wherein the pericardium undergoes scarring, thickening, and contraction, consequently hindering the heart’s function.
Pericarditis can be triggered by various factors, including infections, myocardial infarctions (heart attacks), metastasized cancer, and pericardial injuries. Additionally, the condition may coincide with autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, or kidney failure.
Discomfort located behind the sternum (breastbone), and occasionally radiating to the neck and shoulders, can intensify with deep breaths, movements, or swallowing. Easing the pain might involve sitting upright and leaning forward. Symptoms could also include fever. In cases of constrictive pericarditis, swelling due to fluid retention may occur in the legs and abdomen.
The diagnosis is determined through a physical examination, along with an electrocardiogram (ECG) that captures the heart’s electrical activity, and chest X-rays or echocardiography that can reveal any accumulation of excessive fluid around the heart.
If feasible, treatment focuses on addressing the underlying cause. Analgesic drugs (painkillers) or anti-inflammatory drugs might be prescribed. In cases of fluid accumulation, excess fluid can be extracted using a needle. In severe instances of constrictive pericarditis, surgical removal of the thickened pericardium section might be performed to allow the heart to function more freely.
Inflammation of the pericardium can lead to various complications. It may result in the formation of adhesions between the pericardial sac and the heart, potentially affecting the heart’s function. This condition can also cause the release of a fibrinous exudate, leading to symptoms like high fever, difficulty breathing, and chest pain. In some cases, there may be an accumulation of fluid within the pericardium, which can be bloody, serous, or purulent in nature. Common signs and symptoms of pericardial inflammation include shortness of breath, an inability to detect the heart’s apex beat, muffled heart sounds when auscultated, low blood pressure, and indications of lung collapse.