Pericardial Disorders: Pericarditis, Effusion and Tamponade

The pericardium is a membrane, or sac, around the heart. It holds the heart in place and helps it work properly.

Problems with the pericardium

• Pericarditis: inflammation of the sac, which can follow a virus or other infection, a heart attack, heart surgery, other medical conditions, injuries or certain medicines.
• Pericardial effusion: a build-up of fluid in the sac.
• Cardiac tamponade: a serious condition in which fluid builds up in the sac and interferes with how the heart works.

Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

Symptoms include chest pain, a fast heartbeat and trouble breathing; fever is common in acute pericarditis. A doctor may diagnose the problem with a physical exam, imaging tests and heart tests. Treatment depends on the cause.

Sources

• MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, "Pericardial Disorders," from the NIH National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. https://medlineplus.gov/pericardialdisorders.html
• Rewritten in hubnx's own words.