Pericardial Disease

Acute

What is Pericardial Disease?

Pericardial Disease affects the pericardium, which is the flexible two-layered sac that envelops the heart. The pericardium helps keep the heart in position, helps prevent the heart from overfilling with blood, and helps protect the heart from being damaged by chest infections.

  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing (dyspnea)
  • Discomfort when breathing while lying down.
  • Chest pain, usually behind the breastbone or on the left side of the chest.
  • Chest fullness.
  • Lightheadedness or feeling faint.
  • Swelling in the abdomen or legs.
  • Fluid buildup around the heart (pericardial effusion). The fluid buildup can lead to further heart complications.
  • Thickening and scarring of the heart lining (constrictive pericarditis).
  • Pressure on the heart due to fluid buildup (cardiac tamponade).
  • Autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.
  • Cancer of the heart or pericardium.
  • Spread of cancer (metastasis), particularly lung cancer, breast cancer or Hodgkin's lymphoma.
  • Radiation therapy for cancer if the heart was in the area of the radiation.
  • Chest trauma.
  • Autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.
  • Cancer of the heart or pericardium.
  • Spread of cancer (metastasis), particularly lung cancer, breast cancer or Hodgkin's lymphoma.
  • Radiation therapy for cancer if the heart was in the area of the radiation.
  • Chest trauma.

There's no conclusive way to prevent pericarditis, especially cases of viral pericarditis. But if you experience pericarditis, following your treatment plan and using colchicine, and avoiding corticosteroids, may reduce the risk of it recurring. Until you fully recover, rest and avoid strenuous physical activity.

How is it diagnosed?

How is it diagnosed?
  • Fluid drainage (pericardiocentesis). A health care provider uses a needle to enter the pericardial space and then inserts a small tube (catheter) to drain the fluid.
  • Open-heart surgery.
  • Removal of the pericardium (pericardiectomy).

How is it treated?

Treatment for acute myeloid leukemia is vital. It varies with the patient and stage of the disease. Treatment options include

A health care provider uses a needle to enter the pericardial space and then inserts a small tube (catheter) to drain the fluid. Imaging techniques, typically echocardiography, are used to guide the work.

 

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