The cause is believed to be an autoimmune response against damaged cardiac tissue. This is supported by excellent response to immunosuppressive (steroid) therapy. This condition is a febrile illness caused by immune attack of the pleura and the pericardium. Possible cell mediated immunity led by Helper T-cells and Cytotoxic T-cells is postulated to be important in the pathogenesis of this condition. There is also possibility of anti-cardiac antibodies created idiopathically, or due to concurrent cross-reactivity of the antibodies produced against viral antigens, however the latter assumption is not fool-proof or completely reliable due to conflicting studies.
Postpericardiotomy syndrome
Uremic pericarditis
Edwards syndrome
Wooden chest syndrome
Acute pericarditis
Post-Cardiac Arrest Syndrome
Tamponade
Tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy