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Difference Between Pericarditis and Pericardial Effusion
The pericardium is involved in both pericarditis and pericardial effusion. An inflammation of the pericardium is called pericarditis, whereas a pericardial effusion is the accumulation of fluid inside the pericardium. In the coming articles, we'll go even further into the ways in which they differ from one another.
What is Pericarditis?
Diseases affecting the pericardium, a thin sac of tissue that surrounds the heart, are known as pericarditis or pericardial diseases.
Symptoms − Pain on the left side or centre of the chest is the most frequent symptom; others include palpitations, a low temperature, difficulty breathing, weariness, a dry cough, nausea, and swelling in the abdomen or legs.
Causes/Risk − Pericarditis is often caused by a viral infection that has spread from the digestive system or the respiratory system. A number of autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and scleroderma, have been linked to recurrent and chronic pericarditis.
Heart disease, heart surgery, renal failure, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, TB, cancer, radiation therapy, accidents, and drug side effects are some of the other potential culprits (i.e., warfarin, heparin, and phenytoin).
Pericarditis is more common in males between the ages of 16 and 65; thus, men in that age range should be aware of the hazards involved. Thirty percent of individuals who have had acute pericarditis treatment are at risk for recurrence.
Treatment − Medicine (including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, antibiotics, colchicine, and pain relievers), rest, and surgery are all options for therapy (American Heart Association, 2021). Most cases of pericarditis resolve within four weeks.
What is Pericardial Effusion?
When fluid builds up in the pericardium, a tough and double-layered saclike tissue that surrounds the heart, this is called pericardial effusion. It is common for the heart to have two or three tablespoons of clear, yellow fluid to assist it move about in its sac. A person with pericardial
effusion, on the other hand, may have anything from 100 ml to more than 2 L of fluid between the sac's two layers.
Symptoms − People with mild effusion may not experience any symptoms, but those with severe conditions may suffer from symptoms like chest pain or discomfort, fainting, enlarged veins in the neck, rapid and shallow breathing, nausea, a racing heart, swelling in the arms and legs, and pain in the right upper abdomen.
Patients with severe effusion may exhibit signs of shock, including low blood pressure and symptoms including dizziness, cold extremities, fast breathing, decreased urine output, nausea, and vomiting.
Causes − Pericarditis is a common reason; when the sac around the heart becomes inflamed, it produces extra fluid. Infections with viruses, such HIV, lupus, TB, echoviruses, CMV, and coxsackieviruses, are typically to blame for the inflammation. Cancer, cardiac damage from a medical operation, heart attack, renal failure, and autoimmune illnesses are other potential triggers. If the cause of pericardial effusion cannot be determined, the disease is said to be "idiopathic".
Treatment − Medication (antibiotics, pain medications, etc.), pericardiocentesis (fluid drainage), and surgery are all potential therapies.
Differences Pericarditis and Pericardial Effusion
The following table highlights the major differences between Pericarditis and Pericardial Effusion −
Characteristics |
Pericarditis |
Pericardial Effusion |
|---|---|---|
Definition |
Diseases affecting the pericardium, a thin sac of tissue that surrounds the heart, are known as pericarditis or pericardial diseases. |
When fluid builds up in the pericardium, the tough, double-layered sac that surrounds the heart, a condition known as pericardial effusion results. |
Symptoms |
Pericarditis typically manifests as a stabbing pain in the left side or center of the chest, however, additional symptoms might include heart palpitations, mild temperature, shortness of breath, exhaustion, dry cough, nausea, and abdomen or leg edema. |
People with mild effusion may not experience any symptoms, but those with severe conditions may suffer from symptoms like chest pain or discomfort, fainting, enlarged veins in the neck, rapid and shallow breathing, nausea, a racing heart, swelling in the arms and legs, and pain in the right upper abdomen Patients with severe effusion may exhibit signs of shock, including low blood pressure and symptoms including dizziness, cold extremities, fast breathing, decreased urine output, nausea, and vomiting. |
Causes |
An infection with a virus is a common cause of pericarditis. Autoimmune diseases have been linked to chronic and recurrent pericarditis. Heart disease, heart surgery, renal failure, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, TB, cancer, radiation therapy, accidents, and drug side effects are some of the other potential culprits. |
The inflammation that leads to pericardial effusion is called pericarditis, and it is commonly brought on by viruses including HIV, lupus, TB, echoviruses, CMV, and coxsackieviruses. Cancer, cardiac damage from a medical operation, heart attack, renal failure, and autoimmune illnesses are other potential triggers. If the cause of pericardial effusion cannot be determined, the disease is said to be "idiopathic". |
Conclusion
In this article, we explained in detail the various differences between Pericarditis and Pericardial Effusion.
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