Disease and Condition

Pericarditis
What is it?
Pericarditis is an inflammation of the pericardium, which is the sac that surrounds your heart.

What Causes Pericarditis?
Pericarditis can be caused by infection, trauma, heart attack, medication, tumors, or may occur following open heart surgery.

What Are the Symptoms?
The most common symptom is chest pain. This pain is usually located in the middle or left side of the chest. The pain may increase with deep breathing, with swallowing, or when lying flat on your back. Other symptoms are shortness of breath, fever, chills, and sweating.

While you are hospitalized, the physician will listen to your heart frequently for new heart sounds that may develop.

Diagnosis
It is often difficult to determine the cause of pericarditis, and sometimes many tests are needed. Blood samples will need to be obtained to test for infection.

The two most common ways of diagnosing pericarditis are by electrocardiogram and echocardiogram. An electrocardiogram documents the natural electrical impulses of the heartbeats. An echocardiogram uses sound waves to evaluate the structure and function of the heart.

A test called pericardiocentesis may also need to be conducted. During this test, a small sample of fluid is removed from the sac around the heart. After the skin of the chest is numbed, a physician carefully inserts a needle into the heart sac and withdraws a sample of the fluid that normally sits around the heart. This fluid is then sent to a laboratory where it is tested for bacteria.

What Is the Treatment?
Medical treatment for pericarditis includes hospitalization and rest. Patients with pericarditis usually feel most comfortable sitting up and leaning forward. Pain and inflammation can be controlled by the use of medications. If the cause is due to infection, antibiotics will also be prescribed.

What About After Discharge?
Continue to take the medications(s) as ordered by your physician.

Watch for recurring signs and symptoms of pericarditis, such as fever and chest pain.

Report these symptoms to your physician immediately.
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