title: Characteristics, Complications, and Treatment of Acute Pericarditis.
abstract: Acute pericarditis occurs most frequently after a viral attack. Other causes are autoimmune conditions, infection, chest trauma, cardiac surgery, or cardiac procedure. The presenting symptom is retrosternal chest pain. A pericardial rub is characteristic. Diffuse upward sloping ST segments are found with electrocardiogram. Pericardial effusions may be demonstrated with an echocardiogram. High-dose nonsteroidal antiinflammatory medications are the primary treatment. Adding colchicine reduces recurrence. It responds well to pharmacologic therapy within 1 to 2 weeks. Monitoring for complications is essential. The most serious complication is cardiac tamponade. For this, prompt diagnosis and treatment can be life-saving.
authors.affiliation: University Hospitals Case Medical Center, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Harrington Heart and Vascular Institute, Wearn 109-Mailstop 5057, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA. Electronic address: Janet.Kloos@UHhospitals.org.
authors.forename: Janet A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Kloos
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002305:Cardiac Tamponade / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D002637:Chest Pain / Q000209:etiology; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D010493:Pericarditis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
keywords: Acute pericarditis; Pericardial effusion; Retrosternal chest pain