Diagnosis of Pericarditis

Abstract

Few of the diseases that afflict the heart require such a breadth of knowledge on the part of the physician as pericarditis. Infections, uremia, trauma, radiation, drugs, tumor, myocardial infarction, heart operation, aortic rupture or chylous fluid can produce pericarditis. Clinical features often mimic other diseases or are nonspecific, and signs and symptoms change with stages of the disease. To treat pericarditis, the physician must treat the underlying disease.