Pericarditis is an inflammation of the pericardium, the thin, fluid-filled sac surrounding the heart. It can cause severe chest pain (especially upon taking a deep breath) and shortness of breath.

Pericarditis can be caused by a wide variety of conditions. Most commonly, it occurs in men aged 20 to 50. It can be caused by viral infections, diseases such as cancer or AIDS, or as the result of heart attack, kidney failure, irradiation or injury. In some cases, pericarditis has no known cause (e.g., idiopathic).

Treatment for pericarditis depends on its cause, but most physicians will first try to reduce the pain and inflammation with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Other drugs that may be prescribed include corticosteroids, which reduce inflammation, or diuretics. Physicians will also attempt to treat the underlying conditions to relieve the inflammation. For instance, antibiotics might be prescribed to treat bacterial pericarditis. In some cases, pericarditis will resolve on its own.

Most patients with pericarditis also have some fluid in the pericardial sac. This condition is known as pericardial effusion and it can cause a number of serious problems. If the buildup of fluid is rapid and severe, it may result in cardiac tamponade.  In this situation, the inflamed pericardial sac fills with fluid and restricts the heart from beating properly. This can be an emergency situation that requires immediate medical attention. If this condition develops, the excess fluid in the pericardium will need to be drained with a needle, catheter or by surgery.