What is the first-line treatment for pericarditis?

The first-line treatment for pericarditis is a combination of colchicine and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). This approach is often effective in addressing the inflammation associated with pericarditis and alleviating symptoms such as chest pain.

NSAIDs are commonly utilized due to their anti-inflammatory properties, which help reduce pain and inflammation in the pericardial sac. Colchicine serves as an adjunctive therapy that can help prevent recurrences of pericarditis. This combination not only provides symptomatic relief but also targets the inflammatory process, making it more effective than either treatment alone.

In contrast, corticosteroids are generally reserved for cases where patients do not respond to NSAIDs and colchicine, or when there is a specific indication such as an autoimmune inflammatory condition. Antibiotics may be used if there is a suspicion of infectious pericarditis, but they are not the first-line treatment for most cases, particularly those that are idiopathic or post-viral in nature. Cardiac surgery is not indicated for uncomplicated pericarditis. It is usually considered in cases of constrictive pericarditis or when there is a complication such as cardiac tamponade. Therefore, the combination of colchicine and NSAIDs stands out