Pericarditis - bacterial

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Bacterial pericarditis

Heart, front view

Heart, section through the middle

Pericardium

Purulent pericarditis

The goal of treatment is to cure the infection.

Antibiotics are used aggressively to treat bacterial infections. Other medications may include analgesics to relieve pain and diuretics to remove excess fluid. Aspirin, ibuprofen, other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS), or corticosteroids may be prescribed to relieve inflammation of the pericardium.

Bedrest with the head of the bed elevated may be recommended to reduce the workload on the heart.

Pericardiocentesis (removal of fluid from the pericardial sac) is necessary to drain infected pericardial fluid and to prevent or treat cardiac tamponade . Surgical pericardiectomy (cutting or removal of part of the pericardium) may be recommended if bacterial pericarditis is chronic or recurrent.

The disorder may be life threatening if untreated. The outcome is good if bacterial pericarditis is treated promptly. Most people recover completely with treatment.

• Cardiac tamponade
• Constrictive heart failure
• Pulmonary edema

Review Date: 07/17/2006
Reviewed By: Glenn Gandelman, MD, MPH, Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.