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Management

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

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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