Pericarditis; constrictive
Alternative names:
constrictive pericarditis
Symptoms:
Symptoms of acute (but not chronic) pericarditis also include: - chest pain (less than that seen with acute pericarditis)
- radiating to the neck, shoulder, back or abdomen
- described as sharp, stabbing
- increases with breathing
- splinting of ribs with deep breathing (bends over or holds chest when breathing deeply)
- the preferred position is upright, standing, or sitting
- fever
- sweating
- chills
- dry cough
- anxiety
Signs and tests:
Heart sounds may be weak or distant. There may be signs of hepatic (liver) congestion, such as enlargement of the liver and fluid in the abdomen (ascites). Neck veins may be prominent, and may not decrease when inhaling (related to increased pressure in the veins). The spleen may be examined by touch. Constrictive pericarditis may resemble restrictive cardiomyopathy or cardiac tamponade.
Pericardial thickening, scarring, or calcification (mineral deposits) may be verified by the results of the following tests: An ECG may show changes. Atrial fibrillation is present about one-third of the time.
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