Cardiology Conference-CVC 2026

Pericardial diseases represent a variety of conditions that involve the pericardium, the heart's thin sac. Such disorders may result in inflammation, accumulation of fluid, or constriction of the pericardium, thereby affecting heart function and overall cardiovascular well-being. Pericarditis, pericardial effusion, cardiac tamponade, and constrictive pericarditis are among the most common pericardial diseases.

Pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium, most commonly caused by viral infection, autoimmune diseases, or following cardiac injury. Chest pain, fever, and a pericardial friction rub can be present in patients, with electrocardiography and echocardiography helping to make the diagnosis.

Pericardial effusion is the presence of fluid in the pericardial space. Small effusions are often clinically silent, but large or quickly accumulating effusions can produce cardiac tamponade, an emergent condition that necessitates immediate treatment like pericardiocentesis.

Constrictive pericarditis is caused by thickening or scarring of the pericardium, constraining cardiac expansion and producing heart failure symptoms such as edema, dyspnea, and fatigue. Imaging modalities such as echocardiography, CT, and MRI play important roles in diagnosis and surgical planning in case it is necessary.

Management varies with the severity and etiology. Treatment of pericarditis includes anti-inflammatory agents, colchicine, or corticosteroids in most cases, whereas pericardiocentesis or pericardial window is reserved for large effusions or tamponade. Surgical pericardiectomy can be necessary in constrictive pericarditis.

Increasing facility with imaging, interventional catheterization, and medical therapy has made management more specific, allowing early detection, efficient treatment, and better patient outcomes.