This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Sign in
Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

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.

Create an account to add page annotations

Create a free account

Add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation, such as a web address or phone number. This information will always be displayed when you visit this page

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.