Pericarditis
Pericarditis refers to the inflammation of the pericardium, the thin membrane surrounding the heart. Pericarditis can be short lived (acute pericarditis) or long term (chronic pericarditis). There are many things that can cause pericarditis, including viral, bacterial, fungal and parasitic infection. Auto-immune disorders can also contribute to the development of pericarditis, these include lupus, scleroderma and rheumatoid arthritis.
Pericarditis can cause atrial fibrillation as a result of chronic inflammation. This inflammation leads to scarring and calcification of the membrane surrounding the heart, which in turn can affect the heart’s ability to pump blood. This complication is called constrictive pericarditis, can affect the atria in the heart and contributes to the development of atrial fibrillation.
