Pericarditis Flashcards¶
Anki-compatible flashcards for pediatric pericarditis board review.
Q: What is the first-line treatment for acute pericarditis in children? A: NSAID (ibuprofen 30-50 mg/kg/day divided TID) PLUS colchicine Tags: pericarditis, treatment, high-yield
Q: Why should aspirin be avoided for pericarditis in children <12 years? A: Risk of Reye syndrome Tags: pericarditis, aspirin, reye, high-yield
Q: Why should corticosteroids be avoided as first-line for pericarditis? A: Steroids increase recurrence risk Tags: pericarditis, steroids, avoid, high-yield
Q: What is the recommended colchicine dose for pericarditis in children? A: <5 years: 0.5 mg once daily; ≥5 years: 0.5-1 mg once daily Tags: pericarditis, colchicine, dosing
Q: How long should colchicine be continued for first episode of pericarditis? A: 3 months Tags: pericarditis, colchicine, duration
Q: How long should colchicine be continued for recurrent pericarditis? A: 6 months Tags: pericarditis, colchicine, duration
Q: What are the classic clinical features of acute pericarditis? A: Chest pain (sharp, positional, worse with inspiration), pericardial friction rub, ECG changes, pericardial effusion Tags: pericarditis, diagnosis, clinical
Q: What ECG findings are seen in acute pericarditis? A: Diffuse ST elevation (concave up), PR depression, low voltage (if large effusion), electrical alternans (if tamponade) Tags: pericarditis, ecg, high-yield
Q: What is the most common cause of pericarditis in children? A: Viral (idiopathic) - often preceded by respiratory illness Tags: pericarditis, etiology
Q: What clinical finding is pathognomonic for pericarditis? A: Pericardial friction rub (scratchy, to-and-fro sound best heard at left sternal border) Tags: pericarditis, physical-exam
Q: What is Beck's triad for cardiac tamponade? A: Hypotension, jugular venous distension (JVD), muffled heart sounds Tags: pericarditis, tamponade, becks-triad, high-yield
Q: What ECG finding suggests cardiac tamponade? A: Electrical alternans (beat-to-beat variation in QRS amplitude) Tags: pericarditis, tamponade, ecg
Q: What echo finding indicates hemodynamic compromise from pericardial effusion? A: RA collapse in late diastole, RV collapse in early diastole, respiratory variation in mitral/tricuspid inflow Tags: pericarditis, tamponade, echo
Q: What is the treatment for cardiac tamponade? A: Pericardiocentesis (urgent drainage); supportive care with IV fluids while preparing Tags: pericarditis, tamponade, treatment
Q: What percentage reduction in recurrence does colchicine provide? A: ~50% reduction in recurrence Tags: pericarditis, colchicine, efficacy
Q: When are corticosteroids indicated for pericarditis? A: Refractory to NSAIDs + colchicine, contraindication to NSAIDs, specific etiology (autoimmune, uremic) Tags: pericarditis, steroids, indications
Q: How long should NSAIDs be continued for acute pericarditis? A: 1-2 weeks, then gradual taper (do not stop abruptly) Tags: pericarditis, nsaid, duration
Q: What activity restriction applies during acute pericarditis? A: Restriction from competitive sports and strenuous activity until symptoms resolved and inflammatory markers normal (usually 3 months) Tags: pericarditis, sports, activity
Q: What is constrictive pericarditis? A: Chronic pericardial thickening/fibrosis causing impaired diastolic filling; rare in children; presents with signs of right heart failure Tags: pericarditis, constrictive
Q: A 10-year-old has sharp chest pain worse with inspiration, recent viral illness, and diffuse ST elevation on ECG. What is the diagnosis and treatment? A: Acute viral/idiopathic pericarditis; Treatment: Ibuprofen + colchicine (avoid aspirin due to age <12) Tags: pericarditis, clinical, high-yield