Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 8, 2026

Sterile Pericarditis in Aachener Minipigs As a Model for Atrial Myopathy and Atrial Fibrillation
08:56

Sterile Pericarditis in Aachener Minipigs As a Model for Atrial Myopathy and Atrial Fibrillation

Published on: September 24, 2021

3.2K

Acute pericarditis

Márcio Tonini1, Dirceu Thiago Pessoa de Melo2, Fábio Fernandes2

  • 1Heart Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

Revista Da Associacao Medica Brasileira (1992)
|June 25, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Acute pericarditis, an inflammation of the pericardium, is often caused by viruses. Effective treatment involves anti-inflammatory drugs and colchicine, leading to rapid symptom relief for most patients.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Internal Medicine

Background:

  • Acute pericarditis is a common condition involving pericardial inflammation, frequently benign and self-limiting.
  • It accounts for 5% of emergency room chest pain cases, often stemming from viral infections or systemic diseases.
  • A key complication is pericardial effusion, potentially leading to cardiac tamponade.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the primary clinical findings and diagnostic investigations for acute pericarditis.
  • To outline the optimal therapeutic management strategies for this condition.

Main Methods:

  • This is a review article synthesizing current knowledge on acute pericarditis.
  • It focuses on clinical presentation, diagnostic approaches, and treatment protocols.

Main Results:

  • Viral infections are the most frequent cause of acute pericarditis.
  • Initial treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) combined with colchicine yields good patient response and rapid symptom resolution.
  • Early diagnosis and appropriate management are crucial for preventing complications like cardiac tamponade.

Conclusions:

  • Acute pericarditis requires prompt diagnosis and management to prevent severe complications.
  • A combination of NSAIDs and colchicine is a highly effective first-line therapy.
  • This review provides a comprehensive overview for optimizing patient care.

More Related Videos

Intracoronary Acetylcholine Provocation Testing for Assessment of Coronary Vasomotor Disorders06:39

Intracoronary Acetylcholine Provocation Testing for Assessment of Coronary Vasomotor Disorders

Published on: August 18, 2016

17.1K
An Intact Pericardium Ischemic Rodent Model07:15

An Intact Pericardium Ischemic Rodent Model

Published on: September 2, 2021

3.1K

Related Concept Videos

Pericarditis I: Introduction01:22

Pericarditis I: Introduction

Pericarditis is defined as the inflammation of the pericardium, the thin, sac-like membrane surrounding the heart. This condition can cause significant chest pain and other symptoms, often necessitating medical intervention. The pericardium has two layers: the inner visceral layer and the outer parietal layer, separated by a small amount of fluid that reduces friction during heartbeats.Types of PericarditisPericarditis can be classified into several types based on the duration and nature of the...
666
Pericarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests01:19

Pericarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests

Pericarditis is distinguished by inflammation of the pericardium, the fibrous sac that encases the heart. It can be acute, lasting less than six weeks, or chronic, persisting for over three months. Understanding its clinical manifestations and diagnostic findings is crucial for timely and effective management.Clinical ManifestationsWhile pericarditis can be asymptomatic, it usually presents with characteristic symptoms such as:Chest Pain: The most characteristic symptom of pericarditis is chest...
559
Pericarditis IV: Nursing Management01:25

Pericarditis IV: Nursing Management

Pericarditis, an inflammation of the pericardium, necessitates diligent nursing management to ensure effective patient care and recovery. The initial step in managing pericarditis is a comprehensive patient medical assessment.The patient reports chest pain aggravated by breathing, coughing, and swallowing, which worsens when lying supine. The pain often improves when sitting up and leaning forward. Additional symptoms may include fever, malaise, and, in severe cases, signs of heart failure.
568
Pericarditis III: Medical Management01:17

Pericarditis III: Medical Management

The primary objectives of managing pericarditis are to determine the underlying cause, provide effective therapy for treatment and symptom relief, and promptly detect signs and symptoms of cardiac tamponade. The following outlines the essential aspects of medical management for pericarditis:ObjectivesDetermine the Cause: Identifying the underlying cause of pericarditis is crucial for targeted treatment. Causes include viral infections, autoimmune diseases, post-cardiac injury syndrome, and...
536
Myocarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests01:27

Myocarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests

Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle. The symptoms vary widely, encompassing asymptomatic presentations to severe, acute manifestations.Clinical PresentationAsymptomatic cases: In some instances, myocarditis may be asymptomatic, with the infection resolving without intervention. These cases often go undetected unless discovered incidentally through diagnostic imaging or tests conducted for other reasons.General Early Symptoms: Early symptoms of myocarditis are non-specific and can...
451
Endocarditis I: Introduction01:25

Endocarditis I: Introduction

Introduction:Endocarditis is the infection of the endocardium, the inner lining of the heart and its valves. When the heart muscle is involved, the condition is termed myocarditis, while an infection of the outer lining is called pericarditis. Infective endocarditis (IE) primarily affects the endocardium, where pathogens adhere to the valves or lining, forming vegetation that can lead to severe complications. Infective endocarditis occurs when microorganisms, usually bacteria from other body...
794