Types of pericarditis, its symptoms and main principles of treatment

Symptoms of pericarditis in adults and children. Treatment of exudative pericarditis and other types

Pericarditis is an acute disease of a rheumatic, infectious, or post-infarction nature. Pathology is most often a complication of a disease of internal organs. Inflammation can be accompanied by the formation of fluid that accumulates in the tissues of the heart and slows down its mobility. In this case, a diagnosis of effusion pericarditis is made, but there are several other types of this disease.

Symptoms of pericarditis in adults and children

The main symptom of the disease is severe chest pain, cough. The patient notes relief of the condition when leaning forward. Symptoms of pericarditis in adults and children are characteristic:

• sharp piercing pain;
• increasing pain during coughing, deep inhalation and exhalation;
• unpleasant sensations in the neck, shoulder blades, left hand;
• shortness of breath at rest, which worsens when lying down.

There are a number of signs that will help differentiate inflammation of the pericardium:

1. Adhesive pericarditis – aching pain in the heart, with a gradual increase in intensity, and shortness of breath, which worsens with physical exertion.
2. Constrictive pericarditis is a dangerous condition in which fluid is not removed from the tissues of the heart, becoming purulent. The patient is bothered by swelling of the lower limbs and face.
3. Exudative - can develop against the background of a long-term increase in temperature. Due to constant pain attacks, there is a decrease in blood pressure and a slowing of the pulse.
4. Fibrinous - fluid in the tissues of the heart almost does not accumulate, so the clinical picture is "smeared". There are no swellings, aching pain in the chest, well-being within normal limits. Signs of fibrinous pericarditis are often mistaken for angina pectoris, which leads to incorrect treatment.

Several types and forms of pericarditis are distinguished - infectious, viral, fungal. This classification depends on the cause of inflammation of heart tissue.

Diagnostic measures

Diagnosis of the acute pericardium of the heart is not particularly difficult - the symptoms are too characteristic. But it is impossible to make a final verdict based on the clinical picture. A complete examination of the patient is necessary to confirm the diagnosis. As part of diagnostic measures, the following are prescribed:

• roentgenogram of the chest;
• electrocardiogram is the most informative type of examination. For example, infectious pericarditis can be diagnosed on the ECG even without clear symptoms;
• computed tomography.

The doctor should get the results of a blood test - this will make it possible to rule out a heart attack and find out which viruses or bacteria caused the inflammation. Only with such data will it be possible to make competent therapeutic appointments.

Treatment of pericarditis - general principles

Treatment of exudative pericarditis and other types of inflammation begins with the appointment of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Ibuprofen, Diclofenac in combination with Omeprazole relieve pain attacks and reduce the intensity of the inflammatory process. In the case of a late diagnosis of the disease, when pericarditis turns into a chronic form, the patient will be prescribed Colchicine. It is a good anti-inflammatory agent, which in combination with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs gives a powerful analgesic effect.

Prescribing antibacterial therapy is appropriate only if infectious pericarditis is diagnosed. It is important to identify the causative agent, which will help to choose the most effective antibiotics. The treatment will be short-lived. Relief comes after 5-7 days of therapy, and the usual course lasts 21 days.

Clinical recommendations for traumatic pericarditis are somewhat different. Drug therapy may not be prescribed. It is enough for the patient to observe bed rest in order to recover from the injury. If the cause of pericarditis is a penetrating wound of the chest, surgical intervention is necessary, followed by antibacterial therapy.

The cardiologist can change medication prescriptions in the course of therapy. Often used:

1. Glucocorticosteroids with a powerful anti-inflammatory effect. They are the leading drugs in therapy if the cause of chronic pericarditis in children is an autoimmune disease (systemic lupus erythematosus, etc.).
2. Diuretics (diuretics). These tools are able to quickly and safely remove excess fluid from the body. It is important to take them for swelling of the lower limbs, face and neck.
3. Narcotic analgesics. These drugs are used in the treatment of pericarditis extremely rarely, because they can lead to severe drug addiction.

Complications against the background of a severe form of pericarditis

Doctors' forecasts are generally favorable. If pericarditis occurs in a severe form and the treatment was not started on time or was carried out incorrectly, the following complications may develop:

1. Heart failure. It usually develops after constrictive pericarditis - the heart tissue is calcified, becoming hard and preventing the heart from moving and contracting normally.
2. Tamponade of the heart. It develops with the rapid production of fluid in the center of inflammation. The exudate fills the entire space and causes cardiac arrest.

Such complications require immediate medical care, and often even surgical intervention.

Treatment of any type of pericarditis lasts an average of 3 months. After recovery, a person can lead a normal lifestyle, but with a restriction of physical activity and periodic examinations by a cardiologist.

Complete information on how to treat dry pericarditis and what to do for prevention can be found at https://dobrobut.com/ .

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