ACUTE DRY PERICARDITIS

 Acute dry pericarditis is an inflammation of the pericardium. The acute form is defined as new-onset inflammation lasting <4-6 weeks. It can be either fibrinous (dry) or effusive with a purulent, serous, or hemorrhagic exudate

 CAUSES:

• Idiopathic: most probably viral.
• Infection :
• Viral : Coxackie B or Echo virus (commonest)
• Bacterial: TB.
• Infarction: may occur as early or late complication.
• Irradiation
• Immunological: SLE, RA.
• Iatrogenic: hydralazine, procainamide.
• Infiltration: leukemia, lymphoma, breast cancer.
• Rheumatic fever.
• Renal failure.

Clinical features:

General symptoms:  fever, headache, malaise, anorexia)

Local symptoms: Pain.

Signs: Pericardial rub.

Character of pain:

► Site: pericardial

► Character: sever stitching

► Radiation: may radiate to the shoulders.

► Duration: continuous.

► Increased by : movement & respiration.

► Decreased by: sitting & leaning forward.

► Associated with: pleurisy.

Investigations:

• ECG: Elevated ST segment & inverted T wave.
• Echocardiography

HOMOEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT:

• ACONITE
• ARSENIC ALB
• PSORINUM
• SPIGELIA
• SULPH