The aetiology based classification of pericardial disease comprises: infectious pericarditis; pericarditis in systemic autoimmune diseases; type 2 (auto)immune pericarditis; metabolic disorders; trauma; tumours; pericardial cysts; and congenital defects. This classification has major therapeutic consequences that will be elaborated upon in this article, with the focus on practical management of...

CONSTRICTIVE PERICARDITIS is an uncommon disorder with a wide varietv of manifestations. This communication documents two patients who presented with features of a cardiac murmur indicative of tricuspid valve stenosis. In both, exploratory surgery revealed a large cyst within scarred pericardium, narrowing the tricuspid valve. The first patient had generalized constrictive pericarditis. The sec...

The aetiology based classification of pericardial disease comprises: infectious pericarditis; pericarditis in systemic autoimmune diseases; type 2 (auto)immune pericarditis; metabolic disorders; trauma; tumours; pericardial cysts; and congenital defects. This classification has major therapeutic consequences that will be elaborated upon in this article, with the focus on practical management of...

Constrictive pericarditis is present when a fibrotic, thickened, and adherent pericardium restricts diastolic filling of the heart. Several drugs can cause pericarditis, which can lead to chronic pericardial constriction. A case of constrictive pericarditis in a patient receiving the antiparkinsonian drug pergolide is reported.

OBJECTIVE In the antibiotic era, purulent pericarditis is a rare entity. However, there are still reports of cases of the disease, which is associated with high mortality, and most such cases are attributed to delayed diagnosis. Approximately 40-50% of all cases of purulent pericarditis are caused by Gram-positive bacteria, Streptococcus pneumoniae in particular. METHODS We report four cases ...

INTRODUCTION ---Acute pericarditis is the most commonly encountered manifestation of pericardial disease (incidence: 0.2 percent to 0.5 percent in hospitalized patients). However, data regarding manifestations, workup, and the management of acute pericarditis in the African American population is lacking. This study aims to collect and analyze more clinical data related to acute pericarditis in...

Bacterial pericarditis is a rapidly progressive and highly fatal infection, and is often diagnosed postmortem in half of the cases. Even with drainage and antibiotics, the mortality rate is high. Gram-positive cocci, specifically Streptococcus penumoniae, have been the most common cause of bacterial pericarditis with a preceding primary site of infection. Following the introduction of antibioti...

Haemophilus influenzae pericarditis and empyema with thyroiditis in an adult. JAMA 1974;230:1426-7. 6 Keifaber RW, Bach RD, McDowell JA. Nonsurgical treatment of Haemophilus influenzae pericarditis in an adult. Am Heart J 1984;108: 168-9. 7 Duke M, Donovan TJ. Haemophilus influenzae pericarditis with cardiac tamponade. Am J Cardiol 1973;31:778-80. 8 Sheikh MU, Lee WR, Koh DS. Serial echographic...

THE COMBINATION of two physical signs, increasing venous pressure and palpable decrease in arterial systolic and pulse pressure with inspiration in constrictive pericarditis was pointed out by Kussmaul.1 Wood2 alluded to these signs as evidence for pericardial effusion and attributed the rise in venous pressure to an inspiratory rise in intrapericardial pressure. Dock3 subscribed to this view, ...

Pericarditis as a differential diagnosis of the "Brugada-type Electrocardiographic Pattern Induced by Electrocution" reported by us (1) raised by Shomu Bohora needs appreciation. The electrocardiogram in isolation favours the diagnosis of pericarditis. However the clinical background, lack of symptoms or clinical signs and absence of evolution of ECG features through stages do not favour perica...