It is the inflammation of the sac-like covering that surrounds the heart to protect it.
There are multiple causes: infectious, neoplastic, autoimmune, renal insufficiency, hypothyroidism, etc.
It manifests with stabbing chest pain that may radiate to the neck, shoulder, back or abdomen. It increases with stretching, deep breathing, coughing and swallowing. It characteristically improves with sitting and pulling the body forward.
It is diagnosed by clinical history, physical examination and/or electrocardiogram and may require an imaging test (chest x-ray, echocardiogram).
A patient with uncomplicated acute pericarditis may undergo outpatient treatment. On the contrary, patients with high-risk features (high fever, significant pericardial effusion, heart failure, lack of response to anti-inflammatory therapy) will be admitted to the hospital for study. If a viral cause is suspected, rest and anti-inflammatory treatment will be sufficient. If a bacterial cause is suspected, antibiotic treatment and sometimes drainage of the fluid will be necessary. In other situations, the treatment will be that of the pathology that causes it.
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