Subacute Pericarditis: Understanding the Condition and Its Causes

Subacute pericarditis refers to inflammation of the pericardium that develops over a period of weeks. Understanding this condition involves looking at both its causes and how it progresses over time.

What Is Pericarditis?

Pericarditis can be broadly classified into two categories: infectious and non-infectious. Each type has different causes and progression patterns.

Infectious Pericarditis

Infectious pericarditis can be further divided into subtypes, with tuberculosis being a common cause of subacute presentation. Tuberculous pericarditis typically develops slowly and may persist for weeks, making it more likely to be classified as subacute. In contrast, purulent pericarditis caused by bacterial infections tends to develop rapidly and is usually considered acute. Therefore, when diagnosing subacute infectious pericarditis, tuberculosis should be considered a leading potential cause.

Non-Infectious Pericarditis

Non-infectious types of pericarditis often stem from conditions such as cancer or autoimmune and rheumatologic diseases. These forms tend to develop gradually and may not present with obvious symptoms initially. Due to their slow progression, they are frequently identified as subacute pericarditis when the pericardium becomes involved.

Understanding Subacute Disease Progression

Disease progression is categorized based on duration: inflammation lasting less than two weeks is considered acute, between two to eight weeks is classified as subacute, and beyond eight weeks is regarded as chronic. Therefore, in a clinical setting, if a patient is diagnosed with subacute pericarditis, the most probable cause is tuberculous infection. Other possible causes include malignancies or connective tissue disorders that affect the pericardium.