Summary
Pericarditis is an inflammatory disorder of the serous pericardium resulting from a primary heart condition or a systemic disorder. Of the many causes, the most frequently encountered include acute idiopathic pericarditis and viral infections. The condition is classically diagnosed by the presence of chest pain, a pericardial friction rub and characteristic changes on electrocardiograms. Extensive investigations to elicit a cause are not necessary as they are of low diagnostic yield. Epidemiological data on the incidence of pericarditis are scarce, possibly because the condition can be difficult to identify, and because of its self-limiting nature. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are normally used as the first-line treatment with the aim of dampening the inflammatory process and expediting recovery. Specific therapy should be initiated for an underlying disorder perpetuating pericarditis. Complications of pericarditis include pericardial effusions and subsequent tamponade and long term constrictive pericarditis. Further laboratory evaluation, echocardiography and pericardiocentesis should be considered for individuals likely to have these complications. *Authors: Drs S. Gati and S. Sharma (March 2005)*.
