Pericarditis and homeopathy

Definition of Pericarditis

When the inflammation of both the layers of pericardium then it is called pericarditis. The covering of the viscera is called the peritoneum, when inflammation occurs over it in the area of the heart, is called pericarditis because the heart covers with pericardium...

Types of Pericarditis:

Acute or subacute pericarditis

Dry with effusion pericarditis

Chronic pericarditis

Pericarditis with effusion

Etiology or causation:

Infective

Viral

Pyogenic

Tubercular

Fungal or mycotic etc.

Non-infective

Post myocardial infarction

Dressler's Syndrome

Neoplastic

Uremia

Sarcoidosis

Aortic aneurysm

Anticoagulant therapy

Some other causes such as

Rheumatic fever

Lupus erythematosus

Rheumatoid arthritis

Scleroderma

Post cardiac surgery, trauma

Drug-induced

Radiation pericarditis

Acute dry pericarditis

Onset is always acute

Symptoms

• Pain- It may be severe, in the Centre of the chest, referred to back, pain is related to respiration, coughing, sneezing, etc.

• It is steady, crushing, substernal pain

• Fever with low-grade type

• Breathlessness may be complained by the patient

Sign

• The temperature may be raised in some cases

• Pulse shows tachycardia

• The heart shows pericardial friction, rub on auscultation

Investigations

• Leukocytosis

• Raised ESR

• ECG shows ST-segment in all the leads with concavity upwards, T wave changes are seen, QRS changes, development of waves, Notching and loss of the amplitude of R wave, Depression of PR segment

• X-ray chest may show cardiac enlargement

• Echocardiography.

Pericarditis with effusion

Onset is gradually

Symptoms

• The heaviness of the pericardium

• Dry cough

• Low-grade temperature

• Breathlessness

• Palpitation

Signs

• The patient may be dyspneic and propped up

• Pulse shows low volume, high rate, and "Pulsus paradoxus"

• Cyanosis may be present

• Neck veins are engorged, non-pulsatile

• Edema may be present 

• Blood Pressure low

Investigations

• X-ray chest shows

• Cardiac shadow is enlarged

• Cardiothoracic ratio altered Obliteration of cardiac landmarks on the right and left border of the heart

• The right cardio phrenic angle is more acute

• Oligemic lung fields

• Echocardiography is the most effective test

• Angiocardiography can demonstrate the presence of fluid

Treatment

• Careful observation for development of tamponade

• If effusion present, arterial and venous pressure and heart rate should be monitored continuously

• A serial echocardiogram be obtained

• If tamponade develops- pericardiocentesis should be performed

• Maintenance of nutrition

• Rest and warmth

Acute compares to chronic

By nature on the time and duration, pericarditis is divided into "acute" and "chronic" forms. Acute pericarditis more often occurs than chronic pericarditis and can occur due to infections, immunologic conditions, or even as a result of a heart attack (myocardial infarction), as Dressler's syndrome. Chronic pericarditis is less common, and a type of which is constrictive pericarditis.

Clinically: Acute less than 6 weeks 

Subacute in-between 6 weeks to 6 months

Chronic, when persists more than 6 months

Some homeopathic medicines are very effective such as

• Aconite nepellus

• Kalmia

• Strophanthus

• Cactus g

• Spigelia

• Crategus