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Pericarditis
What is it?
Pericarditis (pronounced pear-i-car-die-tis) is when the outer lining of the heart (the pericardium) becomes inflamed. A common cause is infection.
The pericardium is a membrane (thin sac) with an inner and outer lining with fluid between the layers.
When the pericardium becomes inflamed, there is an increased amount of fluid between the two layers and the heart can get squeezed. As a result, the heart cannot work the way it should.
In children, pericarditis may happen after heart surgery.
How is it treated?
Treatment may include medicines, aspiration (taking out excess fluids) or surgery.