Calcification of the pericardium

  : : I am a healthy 32 yr old mother of two.  Last month I developed an arrhythmia  including short runs of PAT and a few pvc's. I could feel fluttering in my chest.  Yesterday I was working nightshift and felt as if I was going to pass out.  My coworkers took my blood pressure(I work as an RN) and it was 70/40 while I was resting but never lost consciousness.  I went to the er and they informed me on a chest xray I had calcification around my pericardium.  I had two normal echo's last year for a s3 heard on a pre-employment physical while I was pregnant.  They questioned  my TB test but I didn't have TB according to my xray.  They started me on digoxin.  What are typical causes, treatments and outcomes for this condition? Thank you very much for your time and information.
  : ----------------------------------------------
  : Your question has been received and is being processed.
  I realize that I asked for answers to several questions a few days ago and that it takes time to gather information to answer them all but I would appreciate some kind of response to any of the questions.  I am very scared about this condition and am looking for help in shedding some light on it.  Is it life threatening?  Should I consult an expert in the field?  If so then what discipline and can you recommend anyone in the Pittsburgh, PA area?
  Again, I know that you are very busy and I do apprecite your time.  Thanks in advance for you help.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
Dear Angela,

Thank you for your patience.  The pericardium is a sack that lines the heart.  

There are a number of different diseases that can affect the pericardium.  Infections from virus, bacteria, fungus and tuberculosis are some of them.  Other  pericardial diseases can be due to trauma, radiation, tumor spread and myocardial infarction.  Following any injury some calcification may occur.  This is usually not a problem unless a constrictive or restrictive pericardium ensues.
The diagnosis of restrictive and constrictive pericardial disease can be may with an echocardiogram.  Treatment for this condition may be surgical or medical depending upon the severity.
I hope you find this information useful.  Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only.  Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies.  Please feel free to write back with additional questions.
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter.  The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.