Acute pericarditis is a common cardiovascular condition that may present in primary and secondary care settings. This disorder has multiple causes. However, in developed countries up to 85% of acute pericarditis is caused by viral or idiopathic origins. This article will focus mainly on this aetiology. It is important for health-care professionals involved in the assessment of chest pain and management of this group of patients to have a comprehensive understanding of the condition. This overview discusses the anatomy of the pericardium, the aetiology of acute pericarditis, clinical presentation, diagnostic procedures and treatment strategies associated with this disorder. The European Society of Cardiology Clinical Guidelines on the Diagnosis and Management of Pericardial Diseases (2004) and recent relevant research are used to underpin this article.

Sonia Curry - Cardiac Assessment Nurse, University Hospital of North Staffordshire NHS Trust