Uremic pericarditis
| Uremic pericarditis | |
|---|---|
| Specialty | Urology  |
Uremic pericarditis is a form of pericarditis. It causes fibrinous pericarditis.[1] The main cause of the disease is poorly understood.[2]
Pathology
Uremic pericarditis is correlated to the degree of azotemia in the system. BUN is normally >60 mg/dL (normal is 7–20 mg/dL). The pathogenesis is poorly understood.[2]
Presentation
Fibrinous pericarditis is an exudative inflammation. The pericardium is infiltrated by the fibrinous exudate. This consists of fibrin strands and leukocytes. Fibrin describes an amorphous, eosinophilic (pink) network. Leukocytes (white blood cells; mainly neutrophils) are found within the fibrin deposits and intrapericardic. Vascular congestion is also present. Inflammatory cells do not penetrate the myocardium (as is seen with other presentations of pericarditis), and as a result, this particular variant does not present with diffuse ST elevation on ECG (a classic sign of pericarditis known as stage I ECG changes which are seen with other etiologies).[1] To naked eye examination, this pathology is referred to as having a "Bread and Butter Appearance".
Treatment
It is sometimes treated with dialysis.[3]
References
- ^ a b "CIN'2003. Agarwal: UREMIC PERICARDITIS". Retrieved 2009-03-14.
- ^ a b Black, R. 2011. 0. <http://www.uptodate.com/contents/pericarditis-in-renal-failure>.
- ^ Rivera M, Teruel JL, Marcén R, Ortuño J (2000). "Intensive continuous peritoneal dialysis as treatment of uremic pericarditis". Perit Dial Int. 20 (6): 803. PMID 11216584. [dead link]