Acute Pericarditis

Pericardial inflammation may be due to infection immunological reaction and sometimes remains un explained. All forms of Acute Pericarditis may produce a pericardial effusion which depending on the aetiology may be fibrinous, serous and haemorrhagic. A haemorrhagic effusion is often due to malignant disease, particularly carcinoma of the breast, carcinoma of the bronchus and lymphoma. The clinical features is characterised by pain of Acute Pericarditis radiates to the shoulder and neck and is typically aggravated by deep breathing, movement, a change of position, exercise, and swallowing. The pain can be relieved by aspirin, but a more potent anti inflammatory agent such as indometacin may be required.