Medical Report: Inflammation of The Pericardium

Introduction to Pericarditis

Pericarditis is the inflammation of the pericardium, which is the thin saclike membrane surrounding the heart that holds it in place. Other names for pericarditis, depending on the type, include idiopathic pericarditis (no known cause), acute pericarditis, chronic pericarditis, chronic effusive pericarditis, chronic constrictive pericarditis, and recurrent pericarditis. Generally, pericarditis affects people of all ages, but men aged 20 to 50 years old are more likely to develop it than others. Pericarditis is usually caused by unknown sources, but viral infections are a common cause. This disease often occurs after an upper respiratory infection. Another possible cause of pericarditis is an autoimmune response from disorders such as lupus, scleroderma, and rheumatoid arthritis (Mayo Clinic, 2023; Cleveland Clinic, 2023).

Symptoms and Diagnosis

Common symptoms of acute pericarditis include sharp chest pain, fever, fatigue, shortness of breath, coughing, and palpitations, which are feelings that your heart is skipping a beat, fluttering, or beating too hard or too fast. Chronic pericarditis usually results in tiredness, coughing, and shortness of breath, and chest pain is rare or nonexistent. If it is a severe case of chronic pericarditis, the stomach and legs may experience swelling. Hypotension, or low blood pressure, may also occur. Usual tests used to diagnose other heart infections are run to detect pericarditis. An EKG, electrocardiogram, is used to record the electrical activity of the heart, and certain EKG results can suggest pericarditis. A chest X-ray can show whether you have an enlarged heart, which can be a sign of excess fluid in your pericardium. Echocardiography uses sound waves to generate pictures of your heart, showing its size and shape and how well it’s working. It can show whether fluid has built up in the pericardium. Cardiac CT, or computed tomography, helps to rule out other causes of chest pain and narrow down the possibilities of other infections. A cardiac MRI can show changes in the pericardium. Blood tests can also be run to see the extent of inflammation in the pericardium (Johns Hopkins Medicine, 2023).

Treatment and Prognosis

Prognosis for pericarditis that is immediately treated is good. Life expectancy is normal, as pericarditis itself is not specifically fatal. Recovery time is generally 2 weeks to 3 months. However, pericarditis is prone to returning. This type of pericarditis is referred to as recurrent, or chronic, if symptoms or episodes continue to manifest. Because pericarditis is sometimes caused by viral infections, there is no cure but to just rest and let it take its course. However, there are several treatment options for the pain associated with pericarditis, including prescription and over-the-counter medications, such as aspirin or ibuprofen. Drugs such as colchicine reduce inflammation in the body that occurs as a result of pericarditis. If the symptoms do not go away, a doctor may prescribe corticosteroids. If a bacterial infection is the cause, then antibiotics and possible drainage are the treatments. Pericarditis can result in two serious complications: cardiac tamponade and chronic constrictive pericarditis (American Heart Association, 2023).

Complications of Pericarditis

Cardiac tamponade happens when the sac fills up with too much fluid, putting pressure on the heart and keeping it from filling up with blood properly. Less blood leaves the heart, and the result is a dramatic drop in blood pressure that can be fatal. If left untreated, cardiac tamponade can be fatal. The other serious complication of pericarditis is chronic constrictive pericarditis. This is a rare, progressive disease that leads to scar-like tissue forming throughout the pericardium. The pericardium becomes stiff and unable to move properly, and the scarred tissue starts to compress the heart and prevent it from functioning properly. Advances in imaging techniques have significantly improved the early detection and management of these complications, thereby enhancing patient outcomes (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 2023).

References:

• Mayo Clinic. (2023). Pericarditis. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pericarditis
• Cleveland Clinic. (2023). Pericarditis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17388-pericarditis
• Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2023). Pericarditis. Retrieved from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/pericarditis
• American Heart Association. (2023). Understanding Pericarditis. Retrieved from https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/pericarditis
• National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2023). Pericarditis. Retrieved from https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/pericarditis