PERICARDITIS

• Pericarditis: is a condition caused by

inflammation of the pericardial sac
,which may occur on an acute basis.
 Etiology
• Idiopathic
Infectious
• Virus- Coxsackievirus B group
• Bacteria-pneumococci
• Fungus- histoplasma
Noninfectious
• Uremia
• MI
• Neoplasm
• Trauma
AUTOIMMUNE/HYPERSENSITIVITY
• Dresslers syndrome: inflammation of
sac aroundthe heart
 Clinical Manifestations
• chest pain
located beneath the clavicle, in the neck, or in
the left scapula region
may worsen with deep inspiration and when lying
down or turning
may be relieved with a forward leaning or sitting
position.
• mild fever
• Dyspnea and other signs and symptoms of
heart failure may occur as the result of pericardial
compression due to constrictive pericarditis or cardiac
tamponade.
 Complications
• Pericardial effusion
fluid collection in pericardial space
• Cardiac tamponade
it develops when pericardial effusion increases in
volume
pulses paradoxus is present
 Assessment and
Diagnostic Findings
• patient’s history
• Physical examination
signs of pericardial friction rub on
auscultation
• 12-lead ECG detects ST changes
• Chest x-ray- cardiomegaly
• Echocardiogram
• Lab invst-
elevated WBC,CRP,ESR
Pericardial biopsy- analysis
 Management
• Identifying treating the underlying problems
• patient is placed on bed rest
• Pericardiocentesis,
procedure in which the pericardial fluid is removed
• Antibiotic therapy
• Analgesics and NSAIDs such as aspirin or ibuprofen
• Corticosteroids (eg, prednisone)
 Nursing management
Assessment
• The nurse caring for the patient with pericarditis must be
alert to the possibility of cardiac tamponade
 Nursing management
Assessment
• The nurse caring for the patient with pericarditis must be
alert to the possibility of cardiac tamponade
Interventions
• Pain management
elevate head end to 45 degrees
cardiac table
antinflammatory drugs
• Monitor for complications