Pericarditis is a common cause of chest pain. Pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium, the sac enclosing the heart. If left untreated, pericarditis may progress to cause a pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade. Cardiac tamponade can cause shock and ultimately be fatal. However, the treatment for pericarditis is generally successful. This makes it important to understand the pathophysiology and presentation of pericarditis in order to provide efficient management.
