|
|
Pericarditis
 See all Pictures & Images
Pericarditis Complications
-
Arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation. When pericarditis accompanies myocarditis, other arrhythmias may be present, such as supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) or complete heart block.
-
Cardiac tamponade
-
Constrictive pericarditis, where inflammation of the pericardial sac results in fibrosis and thickening of the pericardium with adhesions (i.e., sticky scars) between the pericardium and the heart. The pericardium creates a rigid "case" around the heart and can severly limit the ability of the heart to fill with blood during diastole (i.e., the relaxation phase before the next heartbeat). Patients with constrictive pericarditis may develop heart failure which responds poorly to treatment. Constrictive pericarditis needs to be differentiated from a chronic heart condition called restrictive cardiomyopathy, which produces symptoms and signs similar to constrictive pericarditis.
Today's Top News Stories | • | Early Elective C-Sections Produce Complications - Jan 07, 2009, 17:00
Babies delivered at 37 weeks have double the troubles of those born at 39 weeks.
| • | Gene Governs Response to Leukemia Chemotherapy - Jan 07, 2009, 17:00
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is most common pediatric cancer. | • | Teen Birth Rate Up in 26 States in 2006 - Jan 07, 2009, 14:00
Highest rates in South, Southwest; lowest rates in Northeast, government reports. | • | Clinical Trials Update: Jan. 7, 2009 - Jan 07, 2009, 09:58
- Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
- Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD - Pediatric)
- Memory Loss
| • | Study of Everest Climbers Questions Oxygen Use - Jan 07, 2009, 17:00
Whether low levels would work for ER patients with hypoxia remains unclear. |
|
Jump to another section
• Definition
• Pericarditis Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
• Pericarditis Symptoms & Signs
• Pericarditis Prevention
• Pericarditis Diagnosis & Tests
• Pericarditis Treatment
• Pericarditis Prognosis
• Pericarditis Complications
• Calling Your Health Care Provider
• Pictures & Images
Topics that might be of interest to you Diseases & Conditions
• Acute Kidney Failure
• AIDS
• Arrhythmias
• Autoimmune Disorders
• Cardiac Tamponade
• Dilated Cardiomyopathy
• Heart Attack
• Heart Failure
• Myocarditis
• Pericarditis - After Heart Attack
• Pericarditis - Bacterial
• Pericarditis - Constrictive
• Pleural Effusion
• Pleurisy
• Poliomyelitis
• Pulmonary Tuberculosis
• Restrictive Cardiomyopathy
• Rheumatic Fever
• Rubella
• The Flu
Tests & Exams
• Blood Culture
• CBC
• Chest MRI
• Chest X-Ray
• CPK
• CT Scan
• ECG
• Heart MRI
• Pericardial Fluid Culture
• Pericardiocentesis
• WBC Count
Other Topics
• Breath Sounds
• Breathing Difficulty - Lying Down
• Chest Pain
• Chronic
• Contracture Deformity
• Cough
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Foot, Leg, and Ankle Swelling
• Heart Murmurs and Other Sounds
• Pain Medications
• Respiratory
• Stress and Anxiety
• Sweating - Excessive
• Systemic
Review Date : 10/31/2002
Reviewed By : Elena Sgarbossa, M.D., Department of Cardiology, Cleveland Clinic Florida, Weston, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
|
|
