Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- Contributors
- Part I Clinical Syndromes – General
- Part II Clinical Syndromes – Head and Neck
- Part III Clinical Syndromes – Eye
- Part IV Clinical Syndromes – Skin and Lymph Nodes
- Part V Clinical Syndromes – Respiratory Tract
- Part VI Clinical Syndromes – Heart and Blood Vessels
- 36 Endocarditis of Natural and Prosthetic Valves: Treatment and Prophylaxis
- 37 Acute Pericarditis
- 38 Myocarditis
- 39 Mediastinitis
- 40 Vascular Infection
- 41 Pacemaker, Defibrillator, and VAD Infections
- Part VII Clinical Syndromes – Gastrointestinal Tract, Liver, and Abdomen
- Part VIII Clinical Syndromes – Genitourinary Tract
- Part IX Clinical Syndromes – Musculoskeletal System
- Part X Clinical Syndromes – Neurologic System
- Part XI The Susceptible Host
- Part XII HIV
- Part XIII Nosocomial Infection
- Part XIV Infections Related to Surgery and Trauma
- Part XV Prevention of Infection
- Part XVI Travel and Recreation
- Part XVII Bioterrorism
- Part XVIII Specific Organisms – Bacteria
- Part XIX Specific Organisms – Spirochetes
- Part XX Specific Organisms – Mycoplasma and Chlamydia
- Part XXI Specific Organisms – Rickettsia, Ehrlichia, and Anaplasma
- Part XXII Specific Organisms – Fungi
- Part XXIII Specific Organisms – Viruses
- Part XXIV Specific Organisms – Parasites
- Part XXV Antimicrobial Therapy – General Considerations
- Index
37 - Acute Pericarditis
from Part VI - Clinical Syndromes – Heart and Blood Vessels
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 March 2013
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- Contributors
- Part I Clinical Syndromes – General
- Part II Clinical Syndromes – Head and Neck
- Part III Clinical Syndromes – Eye
- Part IV Clinical Syndromes – Skin and Lymph Nodes
- Part V Clinical Syndromes – Respiratory Tract
- Part VI Clinical Syndromes – Heart and Blood Vessels
- 36 Endocarditis of Natural and Prosthetic Valves: Treatment and Prophylaxis
- 37 Acute Pericarditis
- 38 Myocarditis
- 39 Mediastinitis
- 40 Vascular Infection
- 41 Pacemaker, Defibrillator, and VAD Infections
- Part VII Clinical Syndromes – Gastrointestinal Tract, Liver, and Abdomen
- Part VIII Clinical Syndromes – Genitourinary Tract
- Part IX Clinical Syndromes – Musculoskeletal System
- Part X Clinical Syndromes – Neurologic System
- Part XI The Susceptible Host
- Part XII HIV
- Part XIII Nosocomial Infection
- Part XIV Infections Related to Surgery and Trauma
- Part XV Prevention of Infection
- Part XVI Travel and Recreation
- Part XVII Bioterrorism
- Part XVIII Specific Organisms – Bacteria
- Part XIX Specific Organisms – Spirochetes
- Part XX Specific Organisms – Mycoplasma and Chlamydia
- Part XXI Specific Organisms – Rickettsia, Ehrlichia, and Anaplasma
- Part XXII Specific Organisms – Fungi
- Part XXIII Specific Organisms – Viruses
- Part XXIV Specific Organisms – Parasites
- Part XXV Antimicrobial Therapy – General Considerations
- Index
Summary
INTRODUCTION
The pericardium serves to protect the heart from physiologic changes in intracardiac pressure related to respiration and postural change, and it may also serve to augment the mechanical function of the cardiac chambers. The pericardium is composed of a visceral layer that directly adheres to the epicardium and a parietal layer separated by 10 to 35 mL of serous fluid.
EPIDEMIOLOGY AND ETIOLOGIC AGENTS
Both infectious and noninfectious processes have been identified as causes of pericarditis (inflammation of the pericardium). Most cases are due to viral pathogens and are self-limited, and the specific pathogen remains unidentified. In one series, pericarditis was diagnosed in 5% of adults presenting for emergency care due to chest pain that was not associated with myocardial infarction. Because the majority of cases of acute pericarditis are caused by viruses, most patients present in the spring and summer months, overlapping with the peak prevalence of enteroviruses. During the winter months, influenza virus is a frequent cause of pericarditis, whereas pericarditis due to bacterial or atypical pathogens occurs throughout the year.
In areas of the world where the incidence of infection with M. tuberculosis remains high, tuberculosis is responsible for more than 50% of cases of acute pericarditis. Tuberculosis should be considered in persons who have spent significant time in endemic countries, including international adoptees, immigrants, and refugees.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Clinical Infectious Disease , pp. 265 - 270Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2008