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Causes of Pericarditis



A healthy heart is surrounded by a sac-like pericardium consisting of two layers separated by a lubricating fluid. Pericarditis is an inflammation of the sac, causing the layers to rub against each other. This results in the irritation and chest pain. Sometimes, the fluid in the pericardial sac may increase resulting in pericardial effusion.

The exact causes of pericarditis are often difficult to determine with a viral infection being the prime suspect in many cases. In most cases however, the exact cause remains unknown (idiopathic).

Pericarditis may also develop after a heart attack. It is caused due to irritation in the heart muscle that has been damaged due to the heart attack. In some cases pericarditis sets in a few weeks after the heart attack or after heart surgery. This is known as Dressler's syndrome and is thought to be caused by an autoimmune response by the body towards the heart & the pericardium.

Some other causes of pericarditis include:

  • Trauma: Injury to the heart or chest region resulting in inflammation or infection
  • Diseases: Certain diseases like cancer, tuberculosis, AIDS and renal failure
  • Inflammatory Disorders: Rheumatoid arthritis, gout, lupus, rheumatic fever
  • Medication: Certain medicines like tetracycline may cause pericarditis as a side effect, though this is very rare
  • Bacterial infections: Can be caused pneumococcus and rarely, anaerobic bacteria
  • Fungal infections: Usually caused by histoplasmosis. It can also be caused by Candida, Aspergillus and Coccidiodes, especially in people with compromised immune systems.
  • Uremia: Causes uremic pericarditis
  • Radiation: Side effect of radiation therapy used to treat cancer


Pericarditis
Signs & Symptoms
Frequently asked questions
References
  1. Brent E. Mabey, Ron M. Walls, Acute pericarditis, The Journal of Emergency Medicine, Volume 3, Issue 6, 1985, Pages 457-467, ISSN 0736-4679, 10.1016/0736-4679(85)90005-8.
  2. Susy S. Hota, ChiMing Chow, Daniel Bonneau, Robert J. Chisholm, Surgical treatment for incessant pericarditis, Canadian Journal of Cardiology, Volume 25, Issue 3, March 2009, Pages 161-162, ISSN 0828-282X, 10.1016/S0828-282X(09)70048-0.