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Bacterial pericarditis is irritation and swelling of the sac that surrounds the heart (pericardium), due to infection by bacteria.
See also: Pericarditis
Alternative NamesPurulent pericarditis
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsBacterial infections are one cause of pericarditis. The bacterial infection causes the pericardium to become swollen and inflamed. Pain occurs as a result of the inflamed pericardium rubbing against the heart. Fluid may build up in the pericardial sac.
The most common bacteria that cause this condition are:
- Haemophilus influenza (also called H. flu)
- Meningococci
- Pneumococci
- Staphylococci
- Streptococci
Since the introduction of antibiotics, bacterial pericarditis has become rare.
Pericarditis most often occurs in men between the ages of 20 and 50, usually after some type of respiratory infection. It can also occur after heart surgery or skin or mouth infections that produce bacterial infection of the blood (bacteremia).
Symptoms- Chest pain
- May move (radiate) to the neck, shoulder, back, or abdomen
- Pain increases with breathing
- Sharp, stabbing
- Sitting up or standing relieves pain
- Chills
- Difficulty breathing
- Dry cough
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Splinting of ribs with deep breathing (bend over and hold chest when breathing)
- Sweating
Signs include:
- Faint or far away sounding heart sounds
- Rubbing sound heard when listening to the heart through a stethoscope
- Septic shock
- Signs of fluid in the pericardium (pericardial effusion)
- Signs of fluid in the space around the lungs (pleural effusion), such as decreased breath sounds
- Signs of pneumonia
Doctors may suspect pericarditis when one of the following tests shows an abnormal amount of fluid in the pericardial sac:
This condition is diagnosed when the fluid around the pericardial sac is shown to be infected with bacteria. The following tests help doctors make this diagnosis:
TreatmentThe goal of treatment is to cure the infection.
Medications include:
- Antibiotics to treat bacterial infections
- Analgesics to relieve pain
- Aspirin, ibuprofen, or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS) to relieve inflammation of the pericardium
- Diuretics to remove excess fluid
Bedrest with the head of the bed raised may reduce the workload on the heart.
Other treatments include:
- Cutting a small hole (window) in the pericardium (subxiphoid pericardiotomy) to allow infected fluid to drain
- Draining fluid from the pericardial sac (pericardiocentesis) to prevent or treat cardiac tamponade
- Pericardial stripping or removing part of the pericardium (surgical pericardiectomy) if bacterial pericarditis is chronic or comes back
The disorder may be life-threatening if untreated. The outcome is good if bacterial pericarditis is treated promptly. Most people recover completely with treatment.
Complications- Cardiac tamponade
- Constrictive heart failure
- Pulmonary edema
LeWinter MM. Pericardial diseases. In: Libby P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, Zipes DP. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 70.
What else can I help you with?
What is pericarditis caused by a bacteria called?
Pericarditis can be caused by bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, or Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Treatment involves antibiotics to target the specific bacteria causing the infection.
Can pericarditis cause infection or trauma?
Pericarditis itself is typically an inflammation of the pericardium, the membrane surrounding the heart, and is often caused by viral infections, autoimmune diseases, or post-surgical complications. While it can result from infections, such as viral or bacterial infections, it does not directly cause infections or trauma. However, the inflammation associated with pericarditis can lead to complications, including the potential for infectious pericarditis if pathogens invade the pericardial space. Trauma can also lead to pericarditis, but it is not a direct result of the condition itself.
Can you fly on an airplane if you have pericarditis?
Can you fly on airplane with pericarditis
What do laboratory results indicate about the causes of pericarditis?
Bacteria (staphylococcus aureus) is a sign of bacterial pericarditis. Excessive protein indicates systemic lupus erythematosus or heart attack. An elevated white blood cell count may indicate fungal infection.
What are the causes of acute pericarditis?
Acute pericarditis can be caused by viral infections (such as coxsackievirus or influenza), bacterial infections (such as tuberculosis), autoimmune conditions (such as lupus), heart attack, or trauma to the chest. It can also be idiopathic (cause unknown).
What is pericarditis?
If the pericardium becomes inflamed, a condition called pericarditis results. pericarditis may be caused by a variety of factors: trauma, viral or bacterial infection, tumors, and other factors.
Can ankylosing spondylitis cause pericarditis?
It is difficult to say what causes what, but AS can be associated with pericarditis or vice versa.
Are there any positive treatments for pericarditis besides steriods?
The treatment obviously depends of the cause of pericarditis.
Is pericarditis an inflammation of the lungs?
No, pericarditis is inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart. Pneumonitis is inflammation of the lungs.
Why are electrocardiograph and echocardiogram tests given to diagnose pericarditis?
To distinguish between pericarditis and a heart attack.
Is pericarditis a heart attack?
No. Pericarditis is an inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart; usually caused by an infection.
What is the prevalence of pericarditis?
Pericarditis is fairly common. It affects approximately one in 1,000 people. One out of every four people who have had pericarditis will get it again, but after two years these relapses are less likely.
