Can pericarditis cause atrial fibrillation?
In summary, atrial fibrillation is seen in approximately five percent of patients with acute pericarditis. Patients with acute pericarditis should be anticoagulated based upon their risk for stroke, using one of the commonly available clinical decision tools.
What is chronic constrictive pericarditis?
Constrictive pericarditis is long-term, or chronic, inflammation of the pericardium. The pericardium is the sac-like membrane that surrounds the heart. Inflammation in this part of the heart causes scarring, thickening, and muscle tightening, or contracture.
What is constrictive pericarditis?
Constrictive pericarditis is a process where the sac-like covering of the heart (the pericardium) becomes thickened and scarred. Related conditions include: Bacterial pericarditis. Pericarditis.
What are the signs of constrictive pericarditis?
Symptoms of chronic constrictive pericarditis include:
- Difficulty breathing (dyspnea) that develops slowly and gets worse.
- Fatigue.
- Long-term swelling (edema) of the legs and ankles.
- Swollen abdomen.
- Weakness.
Which viruses cause pericarditis?
Causative viruses include coxsackievirus B, echovirus, adenoviruses, influenza A and B viruses, enterovirus, mumps virus, Epstein-Barr virus, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1, varicella-zoster virus (VZV), measles virus, parainfluenza virus (PIV) type 2, and respiratory syncytial …
What are the signs of constrictive pericarditis on ECG?
There are no specific signs of constrictive pericarditis on ECG which may reveal nonspecific ST changes and low voltage. Advanced and long-standing cases may show atrial fibrillation secondary to elevated atrial pressures. CT scan and cardiac MRI are also frequently done especially before surgical management of constrictive pericarditis.
How is constrictive pericarditis diagnosed in patients with heart failure?
Constrictive pericarditis is a potentially reversible cause of heart failure that may be difficult to differentiate from restrictive myocardial disease and severe tricuspid regurgitation. Echocardiography provides an important opportunity to evaluate for constrictive pericarditis, and definite diagnostic criteria are needed.
What is the global incidence of constrictive pericarditis?
Worldwide, the leading cause of constrictive pericarditis is tuberculosis, and the incidence is about 50% of patients with tuberculous pericardial effusion despite antitubercular therapy. In developed nations, the leading cause of this condition is idiopathic or post-viral infection with incidence being 40% to 60% of total cases.
What tests are done to diagnose pericarditis?
CT scan and cardiac MRI are also frequently done especially before surgical management of constrictive pericarditis. These can reveal thickened pericardium and presence of calcifications. CT scans can detect calcifications better compared to cardiac MRI. Cardiac MRI is better to differentiate small effusions from pericardial thickening.
