Chronic Pericarditis
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 3, 2024.
Chronic pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium for longer than 3 months. The pericardium is the thin sac that surrounds your heart. A small amount of clear fluid between the heart and the sac allows the heart to beat easily. The amount of fluid increases and may contain pus. This can cause problems with the way that your heart beats.
WHILE YOU ARE HERE:
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Activity:
You may need to rest and avoid physical activity. Ask your provider what you are allowed to do while you are in the hospital.
Medicines:
- Antibiotics help prevent or treat a bacterial infection.
- Steroid medicine helps lower inflammation.
- NSAIDs help decrease pain, swelling, and fever.
- Proton pump inhibitors help prevent problems that can happen when you use NSAIDs, such as an upset stomach.
Tests:
- Blood tests are used to give providers information about how your body is working.
- Telemetry is continuous monitoring of your heart rhythm. Sticky pads placed on your skin connect to an EKG machine that records your heart rhythm.
- An echocardiogram is a type of ultrasound. Sound waves are used to show the structure and function of your heart.
- X-ray pictures of your lungs and heart may be used to check the fluid around your heart. Chest x-rays may show signs of infection around your heart.
- CT scan or MRI pictures may be used to check the amount of fluid around your heart. You may be given contrast liquid before the pictures are taken. Tell the provider if you have ever had an allergic reaction to contrast liquid. Do not enter the MRI room with any metal objects. Metal can cause serious injury. Tell the provider if you have any metal in or on your body.
- Pericardial biopsy is a procedure used to remove a small piece of the heart sac. The piece is sent to a lab for tests.
- Pericardiocentesis is a procedure used to drain extra fluid from the sac. The fluid is sent to a lab to be checked for infection.
- Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) is a type of ultrasound that shows pictures of the size and shape of your heart. It also looks at how your heart moves when it is beating. You may also need a TEE to check for certain problems such as blood clots or infection inside the heart.
Treatment:
- Balloon pericardiotomy is used to make a hole in your heart sac with a small balloon. Fluid is drained through the hole.
- Pericardiectomy is used to remove or repair areas of the sac that are damaged.
- Pericardiocentesis may be used to drain extra fluid from the sac around your heart. If you often have symptoms of pericarditis, you may need to have balloon pericardiotomy or pericardiectomy.
Treatment options
The following list of medications are in some way related to or used in the treatment of this condition.
RISKS:
You may have infection or bleeding when the fluid in the sac is removed. Even after treatment, your condition may come back. Without treatment, your heart can scar. Your heart may not beat correctly, and there might not be enough blood and oxygen getting to your body organs. This may damage your organs and be life-threatening.
CARE AGREEMENT:
You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your healthcare providers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.© Copyright Merative 2024 Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.
The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
Learn more about Chronic Pericarditis
Treatment options
- Medications for Constrictive Pericarditis
- Medications for Infectious Pericarditis
- Medications for Pericarditis
Care guides
Symptoms and treatments
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.