Acute pericarditis is a condition in which inflammation occurs in the pericardium, the fluid-filled sac that surrounds the heart. “Acute” means the condition develops quickly or suddenly.

The clinical diagnosis of acute pericarditis is based on simple criteria: typical chest pain, pericardial friction rub (Figure 2), widespread ST-segment elevation (Figure 3) and pericardial ...

Pericarditis, or inflammation of the pericardium, has typical ECG findings. These findings occur in progressive stages, all of which are seen in about 50% of cases of pericarditis. Stage I (acute ...

Constrictive pericarditis occurs when scarring and calcification of the pericardium result in loss of normal elasticity. This limits diastolic relaxation of the heart and causes congestive heart ...

The subsequent absorption of the effusion with organization may lead to scarring and calcification, and a possible final evolution with constrictive pericarditis. A response to a trial of anti ...