The vital signs of a patient with small pericardial effusion are often normal.  Fever suggests an underlying infectious or inflammatory cause, and the presence of a purulent effusion must be ruled out.
HIV induced pericarditis physical examination
Tuberculous pericarditis physical examination
Constrictive pericarditis physical examination
HIV induced pericarditis laboratory studies
Tuberculous pericarditis laboratory findings
Myocarditis chest x ray
Dilated cardiomyopathy physical examination
Mitral stenosis physical examination