FreeMD® Pericarditis Definition

Pericarditis

Definition

pain and inflammation

Pericarditis Definition

Common names:

Acute Pericarditis
Pericarditis

A person with pericarditis has inflammation of the pericardium, which is a thin sac that surrounds the heart.

The inflammation is usually caused by a viral infection.

Continue to Pericarditis Incidence

Related Topics:

Chest pain
Dressler's syndrome
Lupus
Myocarditis
Pleurisy
More...

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Chest pain
Difficulty breathing

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Last Updated: Oct 21, 2008 References

Authors: Stephen J. Schueler, MD; John H. Beckett, MD; D. Scott Gettings, MD

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Pericarditis References:

Butany J, El Demellawy D, Collins MJ, Nair V, Israel NSh, Woo A, Cusimano RJ. Constrictive pericarditis: case presentation and a review of the literature. Can J Cardiol. 2004 Sep;20(11):1137-44.
Imazio M, Demichelis B, Parrini I, Giuggia M, Cecchi E, Gaschino G, Demarie D, Ghisio A, Trinchero R. Day-hospital treatment of acute pericarditis: a management program for outpatient therapy. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2004 Mar 17;43(6):1042-6.
Roodpeyma S, Sadeghian N. Acute pericarditis in childhood: a 10-year experience. Pediatr Cardiol. 2000 Jul-Aug;21(4):363-7.
Ross AM, Grauer SE. Acute pericarditis. Evaluation and treatment of infectious and other causes. Postgrad Med. 2004 Mar;115(3):67-70, 73-5.