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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
Summary
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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