Acute nonspecific pericarditis; clinical, laboratory, and follow-up considerations.

Abstract

Acute nonspecific pericarditis has been recognized with increasing frequency in recent years although there is reason to believe that it was considered distinct from rheumatic pericarditis almost 100 years ago. The authors have been able to secure follow-up information on 50 cases seen between 1930 and 1949. A few have shown persistent electrocardiographic changes, and calcification of the pericardium occurred in 1 case. In general the prognosis appears excellent and we have not observed constrictive pericarditis as a sequela.