[Acute pericarditis. Study of 50 consecutive cases]

50 consecutive cases of pericarditis were studied. Idiopathic and viral pericarditis made up 36 p. cent of all cases. The occurrence of tuberculous or rheumatic conditions was even lower than that reported in similar series in the literature. Amongst the clinical signs of these diseases, emphasis should be placed upon the frequency of chest pain which was increased by deep inspiration in only three out of four cases. Circulatory problems associated with the pericarditis were, on the whole, minimal. However, a fall in blood pressure was seen in 6 cases and true collapse in 3 more. The electrocardiogram showed, in addition to the classical signs, sagging of the PR interval in 36 p. cent and transient atrial fibrillation in 4 cases. As far as biological tests are concerned, it should be noted that elevation of creatine phospho-kinase to levels 4 times greater than normal may be seen, creating problems with the differential diagnosis from myocardial infarction. The course was in general favourable though two deaths occurred in this series (4 p. cent), one with tuberculous pericarditis and the other with idiopathic pericarditis.