Pericarditis describes the condition in which the pericardium,
the thin membrane surrounding the heart, becomes inflamed and
irritated. Sharp chest pains associated with pericarditis occur
when the two layers of the pericardium rub against each other.
Acute pericarditis usually lasts only a few weeks, while chronic
pericarditis persists for months and develops gradually.
Pericarditis is usually a complication of viral infections, most
commonly echovirus or coxsackie virus. Sometimes, the disorder
may develop after a heart attack, secondary to the irritation of
the heart muscle underlying the pericardium. In rare cases, it
is associated with influenza or HIV infections. Often, the cause
of the condition is unknown. In more severe forms of
pericarditis, the inflamed layers of the pericardium might
stiffen and develop scar tissue (constrictive pericarditis). If
the tissue becomes thickened and sticks together, limiting the
heart’s normal filling, symptoms may resemble heart failure.
Alternatively, fluid may fill