Pericarditis

• Is an inflammatory disease of the pericardium, directly involving the epicardium.

• Deposits of inflammatory cells and variable amounts of serous, fibrous, purulent, or hemorrhagic exudates within the pericardial sac.

Electrolyte Imbalance• Hyperkalemia

– Excess of serum potassium above normal levels of 3.5 - 5.0 mEq/L

– Kidney failure and certain diuretics• Hypokalemia

– Deficiency of serum potassium below 3.5 mEq/L– Vomiting, gastric suction, excessive diuretics

• Hypercalcemia– Excess of serum calcium above normal levels of 2.1-2.6 mEq/L– Adrenal insufficiency, hyperparathyroidism, immobilization,

kidney failure, malignancy, Vitamin A & D intoxication• Hypocalcemia

– Shortage of calcium below 2.1 mEq/L– Chronic steatorrhea, Diuretics, Rickets, Pregnancy Respiratory

alkalosis, Hyperventilation

Drug Effect• All of the following in a therapeutic range

produces characteristic changes in the ECG• Digitalis

– to treat CHF, A-fib, A-flutter, PSVT

• Procainamide– Antiarrhythmic drug used to treat atrial and

ventricular cardiac rhythm disturbances

• Quinidine– Antiarrhythmic drug used to control atrial

fibrillation