Pericarditis is a condition where the pericardium or the sac-like covering of the heart gets inflamed. This inflammation can be detected through various symptoms on the person. There are also instances where the patient develops pericarditis as a result of other health complications.
One such complication is uremic pericarditis. This is inflammation around the heart caused as a result of uremia.
Uremia is condition that occurs in patients with kidney trouble. It is a complication that occurs when a person has chronic renal failure (CRF) or even advances stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Uremia leads to a build-up of urea and waste material in the blood due to the kidneys not being able function properly.
The symptoms of uremia include lethargy and decreased appetite. If left unchecked, uremia could also lead to coma and subdued mental health. A person suffering from uremia may experience seizures, vomiting, nausea, cramps and insomnia.
Complications from uremia are what lead to uremic pericarditis. There is no single toxin that is identified for causing uremia. Some of the toxins are polyamines, parathyroid hormone and beta2 micro globulin. There are other conditions that can cause uremic pericarditis as well especially conditions like cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension. Uremic pericarditis is rare in such cases but is known to happen.
The main uremic pericarditis symptoms include
If uremia is untreated then it could lead to many complication include cardiac arrest, coma, seizures and death, in a worst case scenario. It is completely treatable but should not be ignored. Some of the physical complications from uremic pericarditis can be:
Pericardial effusion - Pericardial effusion is a build-up of fluid around the heart or in the pericardial cavity. The space around the heart is limited. Hence fluid accumulated here increases the pressure over the heart. This can lead to Cardiac Tamponade.
Cardiac Tamponade - Increased pressure on the heart due to the build-up of fluid. This build-up can affect the working of the heart
Constrictive pericarditis - It is long term pericarditis and leads to thickening of the sac surrounding the heart
The treatment for uremic pericarditis is the same treatment that is given in the case of pericarditis. Primarily the uremia should be treated. Pain relievers help manage the pain during pericarditis while diuretics are given to manage the excess fluid in the body. NSAIDS or anti inflammatory medication is given to manage the inflammation on the pericardium.
Occasionally surgery is needed in chronic or recurrent cases of uremic pericarditis. The surgery, known as pericardiocentesis, removes the pericardium partially to reduce the chances of the inflammation increasing.