pericarditis - inflammation of the pericardium

Pericarditis (per ́i-kar-dı¯ ́tis; peri = around, kardia = heart, ite s = inflammation) is an inflammation of the pericardium typically caused by viruses, bacteria, or fungi. Whatever the cause of pericarditis, the pericardium is inflamed. The inflammation causes an increase in capillary permeability. Thus, the capillaries become more “leaky,” resulting in fluid accumulation in the pericardial cavity. At this point, the potential space of the pericardial cavity becomes a real space as it fills with fluid and pus. In severe cases, the excess fluid accumulation limits the heart’s movement and keeps it from filling with an adequate amount of blood. The heart is unable to pump blood, leading to a medical emergency called cardiac tamponade and resulting in heart failure and death.

Pericarditis typically occurs between the ages of 20 and 50. Fever and chest pain are frequent symptoms. Pericarditis pain is located over the center or left side of the chest, and may extend to the neck or left shoulder. Patients often describe the pain as piercing or “knifelike,” and say that breathing worsens it. In contrast, pain from a myocardial infarction typically is described as crushing. But although the two conditions are different, the diagnosis of myocardial infarction and pericarditis often may be confused, especially by the patients experiencing the symptoms. A helpful diagnostic finding in pericarditis is friction rub, a crackling or scraping sound heard with a stethoscope that is caused by the movement of the inflamed pericardial layers against each other. The inflammation results in the loss of the lubricating action of the serous membranes.

source : human anatomy