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Acute pericarditis is a type of pericarditis usually lasting less than 6 weeks. It is the most common condition affecting the pericardium.

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Cardiac tamponade, also known as pericardial tamponade, is when fluid in the pericardium builds up, resulting in compression of the heart. Onset may be rapid or gradual. Symptoms typically include those of cardiogenic shock including shortness of breath, weakness, lightheadedness, and cough. Other symptoms may relate to the underlying cause.

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Constrictive pericarditis is a medical condition characterized by a thickened, fibrotic pericardium, limiting the heart's ability to function normally. In many cases, the condition continues to be difficult to diagnose and therefore benefits from a good understanding of the underlying cause.

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Hemopericardium refers to blood in the pericardial sac of the heart. It is clinically similar to a pericardial effusion, and, depending on the volume and rapidity with which it develops, may cause cardiac tamponade.

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Pericardial effusion is an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the pericardial cavity. The pericardium is a 2-part membrane surrounding the heart: the outer fibrous connective membrane and an inner 2-layered serous membrane. The 2 layers of the serous membrane enclose the pericardial cavity ("space") between them. This pericardial space contains a small amount of fluid, referred to as the pericardial fluid. The fluid is normally 15-50 mL in volume. The pericardium, specifically the pericardial fluid provides lubrication, maintains the anatomic position of the heart in the chest, and also serves as a barrier to protect the heart from infection and inflammation in adjacent tissues and organs.

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Pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium. Symptoms typically include sudden onset of sharp chest pain, which may also be felt in the shoulders, neck, or back. The pain is typically less severe when sitting up and more severe when lying down or breathing deeply. Other symptoms of pericarditis can include fever, weakness, palpitations, and shortness of breath. The onset of symptoms can occasionally be gradual rather than sudden.

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Pneumopericardium is a medical condition where air enters the pericardial cavity. This condition has been recognized in preterm neonates, in which it is associated with severe lung pathology, after vigorous resuscitation, or in the presence of assisted ventilation. This is a serious complication, which if untreated may lead to cardiac tamponade and death. Pneumomediastinum, which is the presence of air in the mediastinum, may mimic and also coexist with pneumopericardium.

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Uremic pericarditis is a form of pericarditis. It causes fibrinous pericarditis. The main cause of the disease is poorly understood.