[Pericarditis during the course of pulmonary embolism]

Among 121 patients with pulmonary embolism (PE) five (4%) developed pericardial syndrome, connected with PE. Other known causes of pericarditis were ruled out. In 3 cases corticosteroids were administered with anticoagulants and/or fibrinolytic agents without complications. We believe that the clinician considering in similar situations the risk-benefit ratio of anticoagulant or/and fibrinolytic therapy should certainly use corticosteroids and not abstain from the use of anticoagulants and/or fibrinolytic agents in presence of pericardial syndrome after PE. In cases with huge pericardial effusion catheter should be inserted into pericardial space, because of high probability of cardiac tamponade.