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Updated: Jul 8, 2026

Testing the Efficacy of Pharmacological Agents in a Pericardial Target Delivery Model in the Swine
Published on: July 7, 2016
[New possibilities of diagnostics and therapy of pericarditis]
1Klinik für Innere Medizin, Schwerpunkt Kardiologie, Universitätsklinikum Giessen und Marburg, Baldingerstrasse 1, 35033, Marburg, Deutschland. Bernhard.Maisch@med.uni-marburg.de
Insights
Pericarditis, an inflammation of the pericardium, is diagnosed using clinical signs and ECG. Treatment involves anti-inflammatory drugs or colchicine, with specific therapies for autoimmune, tuberculous, or malignant causes.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Internal Medicine
Context:
- Pericarditis is an inflammatory condition affecting the pericardium.
- Diagnosis relies on clinical presentation and electrocardiogram (ECG) findings.
- Echocardiography is crucial for assessing pericardial effusion size and hemodynamic impact.
Purpose:
- To outline the diagnostic approach to pericarditis.
- To detail etiological investigations including pericardiocentesis and biopsy.
- To review current therapeutic strategies for various forms of pericarditis.
Summary:
- Diagnosis is clinical, supported by ECG and echocardiography.
- Etiology can be identified through invasive procedures and detailed analyses.
- Primary treatments include NSAIDs and colchicine.
- Systemic corticosteroids are reserved for specific conditions.
- Intrapericardial therapies show promise for refractory or malignant cases.
Impact:
- Provides a comprehensive overview of pericarditis diagnosis and management.
- Highlights the importance of etiological investigation for targeted therapy.
- Informs clinical practice regarding the appropriate use of anti-inflammatory and other treatments.
Abstract:
Pericarditis is an inflammatory disorder of the pericardium with or without an associated pericardial effusion. The diagnosis is based on the clinical manifestations and typical ECG changes. Echocardiography is essential to reveal the size of the pericardial effusion and to determine its hemodynamic significance. The precise etiology of pericarditis may be established by pericardiocentesis, pericardioscopy and targeted biopsy and consecutive pericardial fluid and biopsy analysis by molecular biology, cytology, microbiology and immunological techniques. Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and/or colchicine are the mainstay of anti-inflammatory treatment of pericarditis. Systemic corticoid treatment should be restricted to patients with associated autoimmune disorder, relapsing pericarditis and as a complementary therapy in tuberculous pericarditis. In autoreactive pericarditis intrapericardial instillation of triamcinolone is effective with few side effects. In malignant pericarditis the intrapericardial administration of cisplatin prevents early recurrences.
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