Acute non-specific pericarditis.

Abstract

Incidence Acute non-specific pericarditis (acute benign pericarditis; acute idiopathic pericarditis) has been recognized for over 100 years (Christian, 1951). In 1942 Barnes & Burchell described fourteen cases of the condition and since then several series of cases have been published (Krook, 1954; Scherl, 1956; Swan, 1960; Martin, 1966; Logue & Wendkos, 1948). Until recently Swan's (1960) series of fourteen patients was the largest collection of cases in this country. In 1966 Martin was able to collect most of his nineteen cases within 1 year in a 550-bed hospital. The disease is thus by no means rare and warrants greater attention than has previously been aceorded it, despite its usually benign course.