Inflammation of the lining around the heart (the pericardium) causing chest pain and accumulation of fluid around the heart (pericardial effusion).
Types:
adhesive pericarditis a condition due to the presence of dense fibrous tissue between the parietal and visceral layers of the pericardium.
constrictive pericarditis a chronic form in which a fibrotic, thickened, adherent pericardium restricts diastolic filling and cardiac output, usually resulting from a series of events beginning with fibrin deposition on the pericardial surface followed by fibrotic thickening and scarring and obliteration of the pericardial space.
fibrinous pericarditis, fibrous pericarditis that characterized by a fibrinous exudate, sometimes accompanied by a serous effusion; usually manifested as a pericardial friction rub.
pericarditis obli´terans , obliterating pericarditis adhesive pericarditis that leads to obliteration of the pericardial cavity.