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Updated: Jun 3, 2026
07:15
An Intact Pericardium Ischemic Rodent Model
Published on: September 2, 2021
[What's new in recurrent pericarditis in 2011?]
1Service de médecine interne II, hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, AP-HP, Paris cedex 13, France.
La Revue De Medecine Interne
|March 29, 2011
Summary
Recurrent pericarditis management is debated, with unclear causes despite extensive workups. First-line treatment involves colchicine and NSAIDs, while immunosuppressants are rarely needed.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Immunology
Background:
- Recurrent pericarditis is a common condition with debated management strategies.
- The exact pathophysiology of recurrent pericarditis is not fully understood, involving both innate and adaptive immunity.
- While an etiological work-up is not crucial for the first episode of acute pericarditis, it is essential for recurrent cases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding and management of recurrent pericarditis.
- To highlight the challenges in identifying the etiology of recurrent pericarditis.
- To discuss the established and potential treatment options for recurrent pericarditis.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on recurrent pericarditis.
- Analysis of etiological investigations in recurrent pericarditis.
- Evaluation of current treatment guidelines and outcomes.
Main Results:
- Up to 80% of recurrent pericarditis cases remain idiopathic despite thorough investigation.
- Colchicine in combination with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is the established first-line therapy.
- Immunosuppressive drugs are generally reserved for refractory cases.
Conclusions:
- Effective management of recurrent pericarditis requires a clear understanding of its pathophysiology and etiology.
- Standard treatment protocols involving colchicine and NSAIDs should be prioritized.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and optimize treatment for persistent or refractory cases.
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