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Pericardial disease: diagnosis and management

Masud H Khandaker1, Raul E Espinosa, Rick A Nishimura

  • 1Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.

Mayo Clinic Proceedings
|June 1, 2010
PubMed

Insights

This review addresses diagnostic and management challenges in pericardial diseases, including acute pericarditis and pericardial effusion. It synthesizes current evidence to guide clinical decision-making for various pericardial syndromes.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Internal Medicine

Background:

  • Pericardial diseases encompass acute pericarditis, effusion, tamponade, and constrictive pericarditis, with potential for chronicity.
  • Structural abnormalities like absent pericardium or cysts are rare and typically asymptomatic.
  • Clinicians face complex questions regarding diagnosis, management, and treatment strategies for these conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current evidence and clinical experience for diagnosing and managing pericardial diseases.
  • To provide guidance for clinicians on diagnostic criteria, tools, and treatment pathways.
  • To address specific questions on hospitalization, medical management, corticosteroid use, and surgical intervention.

Main Methods:

  • Literature search of PubMed and MEDLINE using keywords related to pericardial disease diagnosis and treatment.
  • Selection of studies based on clinical relevance and impact on practice.
  • Integration of institutional experience from a dedicated pericardial clinic.

Main Results:

  • The review synthesizes available evidence to address key clinical questions.
  • It offers practical guidance for managing diverse pericardial syndromes.
  • Experiences from a specialized clinic inform the recommendations.

Conclusions:

  • Effective diagnosis and management of pericardial diseases require a comprehensive understanding of current evidence.
  • This review aims to equip clinicians with the knowledge to navigate diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.
  • Evidence-based strategies are crucial for optimizing patient outcomes in pericardial disease management.

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