Recurrent Pericarditis

Recurrent pericarditis is the most common and troublesome complication of pericarditis affecting 20 to 50% of patients. Its pathogenesis is often presumed to be immune-mediated, but additional investigations are needed to clarify the pathogenesis in order to develop etiology-oriented therapies. Imaging with Computed Tomography and especially Cardiac Magnetic Resonance holds promise to help in the identification of more difficult cases and improve their management.Refractory recurrent pericarditis with corticosteroid dependence and colchicine resistance remain still an unsolved issue in search of new therapies, although old drugs such as azathioprine, intravenous immunoglobulins, and biological agents seem promising, but new randomized clinical trials are needed to confirm their role.

Source: Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases - October 6, 2016 Category: Cardiology Authors: Massimo Imazio, Elena Gribaudo, Fiorenzo Gaita Tags: Invited review Source Type: research