Acute and Chronic Pericarditis

Compared with myocardial infarction, pericarditis is a relatively rare disease that is more often encountered in general practices than in hospitals. Acute pericarditis is generally of viral or unknown etiology. The main symptom is a sharp, rarely dull pain of sudden onset in the heart region, varying with breathing and in different body positions. The pain might radiate to the neck and scapular region. Electrocardiogram (ECG) alterations can be detected in up to 90% of the cases, if serial ECGs are available.