- Any process leading to fluid collection in pericardial space (see list below)
- Cardiac surgery
- Post-MI
- Cancer related
- Autoimmune d/o
- XRT assoc
- Idiopathic
- Traumatic
- Infection→ viral, bacterial, retro-viral, or TB
- Metabolic d/c→ hypothyroid/renal failure
- Meds causing pericarditis; anti-coagulants which exacerbate bleeding
- Free wall rupture (after large MI)
- Rapid accumulation of fluid leads to more acute sob/doe/low bp
- Slower accumulation (pericardium stretches) better tolerated, more sub-acute sob/doe/non-specifically fatigued or feeling poorly
- Soft heart sounds
- Pulsus paradoxus→ > 10 point drop in SBP w/inspiration
- Papated pulse volume can also vary w/respiration