Management
The basis of management is treatment of any underlying disorder.
Other features include:
- analgesia with NSAIDs, for example indomethacin or ibuprofen
- addition of 3 months of colchicine can more than halve the risk of recurrence (number needed to treat = four) (1)
- low-dose steroids can be helpful second-line agents for managing recurrences as adjuncts to NSAIDs and colchicine but should not be used as first-line agents (1)
- large pericardial effusions complicated by hypotension should be aspirated under ECG and echocardiographic monitoring and cardiac surgical backup
- aspiration of a pericardial effusion may also be required for diagnostic purposes
Reference:
- Ismail TF. Acute pericarditis: Update on diagnosis and management. Clin Med (Lond). 2020 Jan;20(1):48-51.
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