Treatment of acute and recurrent idiopathic pericarditis

LS Lilly - Circulation, 2013 - Am Heart Assoc
LS Lilly
Circulation, 2013Am Heart Assoc
Background Pericarditis accounts for 5% of emergency department visits for chest pain in
the absence of myocardial infarction. 1 In≈ 80% of cases in developed countries, the cause
of pericarditis is either postviral or “idiopathic,” in that it cannot be attributed to a specific
condition. 2, 3 Because these 2 etiologies are clinically equivalent, the term idiopathic
pericarditis will refer to both in this Clinician Update. Even when managed effectively, many
patients with acute pericarditis present with 1 or more repeated episodes, termed recurrent …
Background
Pericarditis accounts for 5% of emergency department visits for chest pain in the absence of myocardial infarction. 1 In≈ 80% of cases in developed countries, the cause of pericarditis is either postviral or “idiopathic,” in that it cannot be attributed to a specific condition. 2, 3 Because these 2 etiologies are clinically equivalent, the term idiopathic pericarditis will refer to both in this Clinician Update. Even when managed effectively, many patients with acute pericarditis present with 1 or more repeated episodes, termed recurrent pericarditis. 4
Am Heart Assoc