Pericardial disease, or pericarditis, is inflammation of any of the layers of the pericardium. Causes of pericardial effusion include: Inflammation of the pericardium following heart surgery or a heart attack. Auto immune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. Spread of cancer (metastasis), particularly lung cancer, breast cancer, melanoma, leukemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or Hodgkin's disease. The pericardium is a thin tissue sac that surrounds the heart and consists of:

• Visceral pericardium an inner layer that envelopes the entire heart
• A middle fluid layer to prevent friction between the visceral pericardium and parietal pericardium
• Parietal pericardium an outer layer made of fibrous tissue

Causes of pericarditis include:

• Infections
• Heart surgery
• Heart attack
• Trauma
• Tumors
• Cancer
• Radiation
• Autoimmune diseases (such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or scleroderma)

Symptoms of pericarditis may include:

• Chest pain. This pain is frequently sharp and located in the center of the chest. The pain may radiate to the neck and shoulders, and occasionally, the arms and back. It can be made worse when lying down, coughing, or swallowing and may be relieved by sitting forward.
• Low-grade fever.
• Increased heart rate.

Diagnose pericarditis is based on:

• Reported symptoms
• Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) results
• Echocardiogram
• Cardiac MRI
• Physical exam

Treatment of pericarditis is based on the cause and may include:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs) to decrease the pain and inflammation
• Steroids, used occasionally for severe attacks
• Antibiotics, if the pericarditis is due to infection
• Colchicine, particularly if symptoms last for several weeks or occur on a repetitive basis.

Most patients recover from pericarditis in two to four weeks. Pericarditis can range from mild illness that gets better on its own, to a life-threatening condition. Fluid buildup around the heart and poor heart function can complicate the disorder. The outcome is good if pericarditis is treated right away.

Submit your manuscript at https://www.scholarscentral.org/submissions/current-trends-cardiology.html