Pericarditis

Question 1

What is pericarditis?

Answer 1

The inflammation of the pericardial sac due to an infection or trauma.

Pericarditis can result from various causes, including viral infections, bacterial infections, or physical injury.

Question 2

What are common symptoms of pericarditis?

Answer 2

• Positional chest pain (often alleviated by sitting forward)
• Shortness of breath
• History of recent infection or fever

Patients may experience chest pain that varies with body position.

Question 3

What is a key characteristic of the ECG in pericarditis?

Answer 3

ST-segment elevation (not exceeding 5 mm) present in multiple leads.

The ST-segment changes are a crucial diagnostic feature in identifying pericarditis.

Question 4

What changes are observed in the PR segment during pericarditis?

Answer 4

• Depressed or down-sloping PR segment
• Elevated or upsloping PR segment in lead aVR

These PR segment changes help differentiate pericarditis from other cardiac conditions.

Question 5

Is reciprocal ST-segment depression seen in pericarditis?

Answer 5

No, reciprocal ST-segment depression is never seen.

This absence is an important distinguishing feature of pericarditis.