Pericardial syndromes: an update after the ESC guidelines 2004

Cardiovascular Manifestations of Long COVID: A Review

The acute phase of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 [coronavirus disease (COVID)] infection has many well-documented cardiovascular manifestations, however, the long-term sequelae are less understood. In this focused review, we explore the risk factors, character, and rates of cardiovascular events in patients with Long COVID, which is defined as symptoms occurring more than 4 weeks following initial infection. Research has identified increased rates of cerebrovascular disease, dysrhythmias, ischemic and inflammatory heart disease, cardiopulmonary symptoms, and thrombotic events among those with Long COVID, though the risk rates and potential mechanisms behind each cardiovascular event vary. Finally, we discuss the current gaps in the literature as well as how COVID compares to other viral infections when it comes to causing long-term cardiovascular sequelae.

Malignant Cardiac Tamponade: A Complication of Untreated Breast Cancer

Carcinomatous pericarditis is a rare complication of locally aggressive breast cancer in which malignant cells directly extend into the pericardium causing inflammation and creating a pericardial effusion. A 40-year-old woman with untreated metastatic breast cancer presented to an outpatient clinic in significant distress with symptoms of progressive shortness of breath and bilateral leg swelling. An urgent echocardiogram demonstrated a large pericardial effusion with echocardiographic evidence of cardiac tamponade. She underwent emergent pericardiocentesis of the effusion that was deemed to be malignant after cytologic evaluation. Subsequently, she opted for palliative treatment involving the surgical creation of a right pericardial window and placement of an indwelling pleural catheter. Internists should maintain a high index of suspicion for malignant cardiac tamponade in at-risk patients, especially those with locally aggressive and advanced malignancies.

Cardiac Tamponade After COVID-19 Vaccination

BACKGROUND

Acute pericarditis is a diffuse inflammation of the pericardial sac with many well-defined etiologies. Acute pericarditis as a vaccine-related adverse event is a rare entity, and the association between pericarditis and the immunogenic response to Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines is still being fully characterized.

CASE REPORT

A previously healthy 18-year-old man presented with fever, pleuritic chest pain, and shortness of breath 3 weeks after receiving the first dose of a COVID-19 mRNA-based vaccine. The patient was found to have a large pericardial effusion with early tamponade physiology requiring pericardiocentesis. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: As COVID-19 vaccination becomes more prevalent globally, physicians should be aware of pericarditis as a rare but potentially serious adverse reaction. Although a direct causal link cannot be demonstrated, we present this case to increase awareness among emergency physicians of pericarditis as a rare, but potentially serious adverse event associated with COVID-19 vaccination.

The role of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography in the differential diagnosis of pericardial disease

This study aimed to assess the role of ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (¹⁸FDG-PET/CT) in the differential diagnosis of pericardial disease. The diagnosis is often troublesome because pericardial fluid analysis or biopsy does not always provide answers. ¹⁸FDG-PET/CT can visualize both inflammation and malignancy and offers a whole-body assessment. Patients who visited the Pericardial Disease Clinic of Samsung Medical Center with an ¹⁸FDG-PET/CT order code were extracted. Exclusion criteria were as follows: (1) the purpose of the differential diagnosis was not pericardial disease; (2) the patient had a known advanced-stage malignancy; (3) the patient already have confirmative diagnosis using a serology, pericardial effusion analysis or biopsy. The analysis included 107 patients. The most common final diagnosis was idiopathic (n = 46, 43.0%), followed by tuberculosis (n = 30, 28.0%) and neoplastic (n = 11, 10.3%). A maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) ≥ 5 typically indicates tuberculosis or neoplastic pericarditis except in just one case of autoimmune pericarditis); especially all of the SUVmax scores ≥ 10 had tuberculosis. The diagnostic yield of pericardial biopsy was very low (10.2%). Interestingly, all of the pericardium with an SUVmax < 4.4 had nondiagnostic results. In contrast, targeted biopsies based on ¹⁸FDG uptake demonstrated a higher diagnostic yield (38.7%) than pericardium. The sensitivity of ¹⁸FDG-PET/CT was 63.6%. The specificity was 71.9%. The positive predictive value was 20.6%. The negative predictive value 94.5%, and the accuracy was 71.0% for excluding malignancy based upon the FDG uptake patterns. It is possible to explore the differential diagnosis in some patients with difficult pericardiocentesis or pericardial biopsy in a noninvasive manner using on the SUVmax or uptake patterns. In addition, the biopsy strategy depending on ¹⁸FDG uptake is helpful to achieve biopsy more safely and with a higher yield. ¹⁸FDG-PET may enhance the diagnostic efficacy in patients with pericardial disease.

Spodick's Sign: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Acute pericarditis is commonly diagnosed in patients who present with chest pain. Accurate diagnosis of acute pericarditis is essential because of its relative similarity to ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in both clinical presentation and electrocardiogram (EKG) changes. Additionally, troponin elevation is occasionally seen in acute pericarditis due to myocardial involvement (myopericarditis), which makes accurate diagnosis more challenging. A 12-lead EKG remains the most useful diagnostic test in differentiating acute pericarditis from STEMI. Spodick's sign is a less recognized electrocardiographic feature of acute pericarditis and is frequently overlooked by clinicians. We present a case of a 52-year-old male who initially presented with acute onset substernal chest pain. His EKG revealed diffuse subtle ST elevation and downsloping TP segment (Spodick's sign). A coronary angiogram demonstrated normal coronaries which eliminated the possibility of coronary artery disease. In this article, we will discuss how to differentiate between acute pericarditis and myocardial infarction, with a focus on Spodick's sign, amongst other EKG findings suggestive of pericarditis.

Temporal trends, outcomes, and predictors of mortality after pericardiocentesis in the United States

BACKGROUND

Data regarding the temporal trends, outcomes, and predictors of in-hospital mortality after pericardiocentesis are limited.

METHODS

The National Inpatient Sample database was used to extract hospitalizations of patients who underwent pericardiocentesis from January 2007 to September 2015. We examined the rates of in-hospital mortality, its predictors, and the temporal trends of pericardiocentesis utilization in the United States during the study period. We also examined trends and outcomes of pericardiocentesis associated with different cardiovascular procedures.

RESULTS

A total of 96,377 hospitalizations with pericardiocentesis were examined. The number of pericardiocentesis procedures performed trended up significantly between 2007 and 2015 (p trend <.001), and this increase was observed predominantly in patients with unstable conditions. In-hospital mortality after pericardiocentesis decreased over time (14.6% in 2007 vs. 12.0% in 2015, p trend <.001), but remained higher than that after surgical pericardial intervention (13.1 vs. 8.9%, p value <.0001), predominantly attributable to a higher patient risk profile. Rates of in-hospital mortality were not statistically different between the procedural cohort and the nonprocedural cohort, 13.5 versus 13.0%, p value = .051. After multivariable adjustment, structural heart interventions (odds ratio [OR] 2.86; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.35-3.49), bacterial and/or infective endocarditis (OR 2.09; 95% CI 1.72-2.54) and active neoplasms (OR 1.72; 95% CI 1.6-1.85) were independently associated with increased in-hospital mortality in pericardiocentesis patients.

CONCLUSION

In this nationwide analysis, the number of pericardiocentesis procedures increased significantly over time. Structural interventions, endocarditis, and active neoplasms were associated with increased in-hospital mortality after pericardiocentesis.

A giant fibrinoid pericardial mass in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis: a case report

BACKGROUND 

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the joints, which may extend to extra-articular organs. Extra-articular manifestations have been considered as prognostic features in RA, and pericardial disease is one of the most frequent occurrences. Rheumatoid arthritis pericarditis is usually asymptomatic and is frequently found on echocardiography as pericardial thickening with or without mild effusion. Severe and symptomatic cases are rare, but pericardial masses are even rarer. We report a patient with erosive, nodular seropositive RA, and progressive functional deterioration owing to a giant pericardial mass compressing the right cardiac chambers.

CASE SUMMARY

The patient was a 79-year-old man. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging revealed a pericardial lesion measuring 10 × 9 × 6 cm with complex structures in its interior, which had compressive effects on the right atrium and right ventricle, severely limiting diastole. Late gadolinium enhancement of the lesion walls and pericardium suggested pericarditis. Surgical resection was performed, and a soft mass with liquid content was extracted. The patient recovered well with improvements in symptoms and the functional status. Histopathological studies ruled out neoplasm, vasculitis, and infection, and the entire mass showed fibrinoid material associated with fibrinoid pericarditis.

DISCUSSION

Symptomatic RA pericarditis is a rare cardiac manifestation of RA, whilst associated significant haemodynamic compromise is even rarer. The condition could manifest with a giant compressive pericardial mass composed of fibrinous material, with particular involvement of the right ventricle. Exclusion of other conditions, such as neoplasms and infections, is necessary.

Purulent Pericarditis in Sickle Cell Disease Due to Streptococcus agalactiae; a Unique Case Report and Literature Review

Purulent pericarditis is a localized infection with a thick, fibrinous hypercellular exudate and is historically associated with a high mortality. We describe a case of purulent pericarditis due to Streptococcus agalactiae (S. agalactiae) in a 30-year-old woman with sickle cell disease who presented with fever, dyspnea, and S. agalactiae septicemia. Despite timely initiation of antibiotics, she developed a large purulent pericardial effusion requiring surgical pericardiocentesis followed by a pericardial window. At 14 months follow-up, she has remained asymptomatic without sequelae. A review of the literature contained only four patients with purulent pericarditis in sickle cell patients. We discuss the unique aspects of this case in the context of purulent pericarditis in the age of modern antibiotics and hypothesize on the pathogenesis of delayed pericardial effusion after pericarditis.

Influenza B virus infection complicated by life-threatening pericarditis: a unique case-report and literature review

Background

Acute pericarditis may occur frequently after viral infections. To our knowledge, influenza B virus infection complicated by pericarditis without myocardial involvement has never been reported. We report the first case of life-threatening pericarditis caused by influenza B virus infection.

Case presentation

A 48-years-old woman with trisomy 21 and ostium primum atrial septal defect was transferred from Cardiology to our Internal Medicine Department for severe pericardial effusion unresponsive to ibuprofen and colchicine. Based on the recent patient history of flu-like syndrome, and presence of pleuro-pericardial effusion, a viral etiology was suspected. Laboratory evaluation and molecular assay of tracheal aspirate identified influenza B virus. Therefore, the ongoing metilprednisolone and colchicine therapy was implemented with oseltamivir with progressive patient improvement and no evidence of pericardial effusion recurrence during follow-up.

Conclusions

Especially in autumn and winter periods, clinicians should include Influenza B virus infection on differential diagnosis of pericarditis with large pericardial effusion.

Comprehensive review of cardiovascular toxicity of drugs and related agents

Cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in most developed countries of the world. Pharmaceuticals, illicit drugs, and toxins can significantly contribute to the overall cardiovascular burden and thus deserve attention. The present article is a systematic overview of drugs that may induce distinct cardiovascular toxicity. The compounds are classified into agents that have significant effects on the heart, blood vessels, or both. The mechanism(s) of toxic action are discussed and treatment modalities are briefly mentioned in relevant cases. Due to the large number of clinically relevant compounds discussed, this article could be of interest to a broad audience including pharmacologists and toxicologists, pharmacists, physicians, and medicinal chemists. Particular emphasis is given to clinically relevant topics including the cardiovascular toxicity of illicit sympathomimetic drugs (e.g., cocaine, amphetamines, cathinones), drugs that prolong the QT interval, antidysrhythmic drugs, digoxin and other cardioactive steroids, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, female hormones, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory, and anticancer compounds encompassing anthracyclines and novel targeted therapy interfering with the HER2 or the vascular endothelial growth factor pathway.

A systematic review of the efficacy and safety of intrapericardial fibrinolysis in patients with pericardial effusion

Pericardial effusion is the abnormal accumulation of fluid in the pericardial space. The complications of pericardial effusion can either be acute (e.g., cardiac tamponade) or chronic (e.g., constrictive pericarditis). We have conducted a systematic review of the scientific literature to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intrapericardial fibrinolysis in preventing complications of pericardial effusion. We searched for both published and unpublished studies. 29 studies, with a total of 109 patients were included in this review; 17 case reports, 11 case series, and one randomised controlled trial (RCT). All included studies had a high risk of bias. The most common causes of pericardial effusion were Staphylococcus aureus (12 studies with 23 cases) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (2 studies with 19 cases). The most common fibrinolytic agents used were streptokinase (15 studies) and urokinase (5 studies). Intrapericardial fibrinolysis prevented complications in 94 (86.2%) patients. Non-fatal procedure-related complications were reported 21 (19.2%) patients. No patient died following intrapericardial fibrinolysis. There is very low certainty of the efficiency and safety of intrapericardial fibrinolysis in preventing the complications of pericardial effusion. High quality RCTs are required to address this question.

Tuberculosis and the Heart

Owing to the high prevalence of tuberculosis (TB) and human immunodeficiency virus/AIDS, tuberculous heart disease remains an important problem in TB endemic areas. In this review, we reiterate salient aspects of the traditional understanding and approach to its management, and provide important updates on the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment garnered over the past decade of focused clinical and basic science research. We emphasize that, if implemented widely, these improved evidence-based approaches to the disease can build on the early progress made in treating tuberculous heart disease and help further the goal of significantly reducing its historically high morbidity and mortality.

Sex-based differences in prevalence and clinical presentation among pericarditis and myopericarditis patients

BACKGROUND

Sex differences in heart diseases, including acute coronary syndrome, congestive heart failure, and atrial fibrillation, have been studied extensively. However, data are lacking regarding sex differences in pericarditis and myopericarditis patients.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of the study was to evaluate whether there are sex differences in pericarditis and myopericarditis patients as well.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective, single-center observational study that included 200 consecutive patients hospitalized with idiopathic pericarditis or myopericarditis from January 2012 to April 2014. Patients were evaluated for sex differences in prevalence, clinical presentation, laboratory variables, and outcome. We excluded patients with a known cause for pericarditis.

RESULTS

Among 200 consecutive patients, 55 (27%) were female. Compared with men, women were significantly older (60±19 years vs 46±19 years, P<.001) and had a higher rate of chronic medical conditions. Myopericarditis was significantly more common among men (51% vs 25%, P=.001). Accordingly, men had significantly higher levels of peak troponin (6.8±17 ng/mL vs 0.9±2.6 ng/mL, P<.001), whereas women presented more frequently with pericardial effusion (68% vs 45%, P=.006). Interestingly, women had a significantly lower rate of hospitalization in the cardiology department (42% vs 63%, P=.015). Overall, there were no significant differences in ejection fraction, type of treatment, complications, or in-hospital mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Most patients admitted with acute idiopathic pericarditis are male. In addition, men have a higher prevalence of myocardial involvement. Significant sex differences exist in laboratory variables and in hospital management; however, the outcome is similar and favorable in both sexes.

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. Despite compromising the quality of life, idiopathic recurrent pericarditis has an overall good long-term outcome without mortality and significant risk of constrictive pericarditis evolution. The risk of constriction, the most feared complication, is related to the etiology and not the number of recurrences.

Acute Pericarditis-Associated Hospitalization in the USA: A Nationwide Analysis, 2003-2012

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Epidemiologic data on hospitalizations for acute pericarditis are scarce. We sought to study the trends in these hospitalizations and outcomes in the USA over a 10-year period.

METHODS

We used the 2003-2012 Nationwide Inpatient Sample database to identify admissions with a primary diagnosis of acute pericarditis. Outcomes included hospitalization rate, case fatality rate (CFR), length of stay (LOS), hospital charges, complications and diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

RESULTS

We observed an estimated 135,710 hospitalizations for acute pericarditis among patients ≥16 years during the study period (mean age 53.5 ± 18.5 years; 40.5% women). The incidence of acute pericarditis hospitalizations was significantly higher for men than for women [incidence rate ratio (IRR) 1.56; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.54-1.58; p < 0.001]; it decreased from 66 to 54 per million person-years (p < 0.001). CFR and LOS declined significantly during the study period (CFR: 2.2% in 2003 to 1.4% in 2012; LOS: 4.8 days in 2003 to 4.1 days in 2012; p < 0.001 for both). The average inflation-adjusted health-care charge increased from USD 31,242 to 38,947 (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The hospitalization rate, CFR and LOS associated with acute pericarditis have declined significantly in the US population. Average charges for acute pericarditis hospitalization have increased.

Impact of Periprocedural Colchicine on Postprocedural Management in Patients Undergoing a Left Atrial Appendage Ligation Using LARIAT

INTRODUCTION

Left atrial appendage (LAA) can be effectively and safely excluded using a novel percutaneous LARIAT ligation system. However, due to pericardial catheter manipulation and LAA ligation and subsequent necrosis, postprocedural course is complicated by pericarditis. We intended to evaluate the preprocedural use of colchicine on the incidence of postprocedural pericardial complications.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In this multicenter observational study, we included all consecutive patients who underwent LARIAT procedure at the participating centers. Many patients received periprocedural colchicine at the discretion of the physician. We compared the postprocedural outcomes of patients who received prophylactic periprocedural colchicine (colchicine group) with those who did not receive colchicine (standard group). A total of 344 consecutive patients, 243 in the "colchicine group" and 101 in the "standard group," were included. The mean age, median CHADS2VASc score, and HASBLED scores were 70 ± 11 years, 3 ± 1.7, and 3 ± 1.1, respectively. There were no significant differences in major baseline characteristics between the two groups. Severe pericarditis was significantly lower in the "colchicine group" compared to the "standard group" (10 [4%] vs. 16 [16%] P<0.0001). The colchicine group, compared to the standard group, had lesser pericardial drain output (186 ± 84 mL vs. 351 ± 83, P<0.001), shorter pericardial drain duration (16 ± 4 vs. 23 ± 19 hours, P<0.04), and similar incidence of delayed pericardial effusion (4 [1.6%] to 3 [3%], P = 0.42) when compared to the standard group.

CONCLUSION

Use of colchicine periprocedurally was associated with significant reduction in postprocedural pericarditis and associated complications.

The cardiovascular effects of colchicine: a comprehensive review

Colchicine is used extensively in the treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. Recent data have demonstrated additional benefit in a variety of cardiovascular disorders, including acute and recurrent pericarditis, postpericardiotomy syndrome, atrial fibrillation, stable ischemic heart disease, and possibly chronic heart failure. This article serves as a focused and updated discussion on the cardiovascular effects of colchicine and emphasizes the importance of randomized, placebo-controlled trials to further our clinical and pharmacological understanding of these findings.

Etiology of Pericarditis in a Prospective Cohort of 1162 Cases

BACKGROUND

Pericarditis is a common disorder that is present in various pathologies and may be the first manifestation of an underlying systemic disease. The aims of this study were to describe the different causes of infectious and noninfectious pericarditis and compare them with those in the literature.

METHODS

Between May 2007 and September 2012, we prospectively evaluated a strategy using a systematic prescription of tests for the different etiological causes of pericarditis in patients with acute pericarditis who were hospitalized in the Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery Department or admitted to the Emergency Department (University Hospital of Marseille). A total of 1162 patients with suspected pericarditis were included. A standardized diagnosis procedure was performed for 800 patients, and 362 had pericardiocentesis.

RESULTS

Acute pericarditis was diagnosed in 933 patients. No diagnosis was established in 516 patients (55%), 197 patients suffered from postinjury syndromes, and 156 had previously known diseases that were associated with pericarditis. Our survey allowed us to relate the probable cause of pericarditis in 64 cases. An infectious etiological diagnosis was established in 53 cases. In our study, postinjury syndrome was the leading cause of pericarditis, a new diagnosis was made in 6.7% of cases, and 16% of the diagnoses were linked to a secondary, underlying disease.

CONCLUSION

Using this strategy, we were able to reduce the number of idiopathic cases. In many cases, the etiologies were still identified. Long-term follow-up in the management of idiopathic pericarditis should remain of great interest for the future diagnosis of other disorders that remain hidden.

Acute pericarditis

Summary Acute pericarditis is a common disease caused by inflammation of the pericardium, usually benign and self-limited and can occur as an isolated or as a manifestation of a systemic disease entity. Represents 5% of all causes of chest pain in the emergency room. The main etiology are viral infections, although it can also be secondary to systemic diseases and infections. The main complication of acute pericarditis is pericardial effusion, triggering a cardiac tamponade. The first line of treatment is the use of anti-inflammatory and or acetylsalicylic acid. Most patients have a good initial response to an NSAID associated to colchicine and became asymptomatic within a few days. This review article seeks to contemplate the main clinical findings and armed investigation to optimize the diagnosis of this important disease, as well as addressing their therapeutic management.

Effectiveness of colchicine for the prevention of recurrent pericarditis and post-pericardiotomy syndrome: an updated meta-analysis of randomized clinical data

The aim of this study is to assess the safety and efficacy of colchicine in prevention of recurrence, symptom reduction, and complications in patients with pericarditis. Pericarditis is an important cause of chest pain leading to frequent emergency room visits and reduced quality of life. Pericarditis has traditionally been treated symptomatically with anti-inflammatory drugs, but growing evidence suggests the use of colchicine for both first episode and recurrent pericarditis in the prevention of recurrences and reducing symptoms. PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central register of controlled trials (CENTRAL) databases were searched and the studies were selected using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) checklist. All randomized clinical trials with head-to-head comparison between colchicine and standard of care were included. A total of five studies were included in the primary analysis of pericarditis and three in the analysis for prevention of post-pericardiotomy syndrome (PPS). Colchicine reduced the incidence rate of recurrent pericarditis in patients with both the first episode and recurrent pericarditis, compared with placebo [16.7 vs. 36.8%; risk ratio (RR) 0.46; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.36-0.58; P < 0.00001; I(2) = 0%], with a significant increase in adverse effects (12.5 vs. 8.5%, RR 1.45; 95% CI 1.09-1.95; P = 0.01; I(2) = 0%) and drug withdrawal rate (10.8 vs. 8.5%; RR 1.44; 95% CI 1.01-2.05; P = 0.04; I(2) = 14%). In addition, colchicine decreased symptom duration in patients with recurrent pericarditis (63.1 vs. 78.6%; RR 0.58; 95% CI 0.39-0.87; P = 0.02; I(2) = 65%), but had no significant effect on symptom duration in patients with an initial episode of pericarditis (RR 0.91; 95% CI 0.65-1.28; P = 0.57; I(2) = 0%). Colchicine was superior to placebo in the prevention of PPS at 1 year (13.2 vs. 25.8%, RR 0.56, 95% CI 0.42-0.76; P < 0.01). In this quantitative analysis of randomized clinical data, colchicine demonstrated superior clinical efficacy compared with standard therapy for the prevention of recurrent pericarditis and PPS at the cost of a small increase in the incidence rate of side effects.

Usefulness of cardiac magnetic resonance-guided management in patients with recurrent pericarditis

Recurrent pericarditis (RP) affects 10% to 50% of patients with acute pericarditis. The use of steroids has been associated with increased recurrence rate of pericarditis, along with known major side effects. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) is more frequently used to assess pericardial inflammation and less commonly to guide therapy. The aim of this study was to assess the utility of CMR in the management of RP compared with standard therapy. A total of 507 consecutive patients with RP after the first attack, all of whom were treated with colchicine and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as first-line therapy, were retrospectively evaluated. There were 257 patients who were treated with medications and received CMR-guided therapy (group 1) and 250 patients who were treated with medications without CMR (group 2). The 2 groups had similar baseline characteristics and follow-up periods (17 ± 7.9 vs 16.3 ± 16.2 months, respectively, p = 0.97). CMR was used to assess the presence of pericardial inflammation, and on the basis of the results, the clinician made changes to the steroid dose dictated by the severity of inflammation. There was no significant difference in the incidence of constrictive pericarditis, pericardial window, or pericardiectomy between groups during the follow-up. However, group 2 patients had a larger number of steroid pulse therapies (defined as prednisone 50 mg/day orally for 10 days and tapering to none over 4 weeks), and higher overall total milligrams of steroid administered compared with the CMR group (p = 0.003 and p = 0.001, respectively). Recurrence and pericardiocentesis rates were lower in group 1 (p <0.0001). In conclusion, CMR-guided therapy modulates the management of RP. This approach decreased pericarditis recurrence and exposure to steroids.

An expanding role for interleukin-1 blockade from gout to cancer

There is an expanding role for interleukin (IL)-1 in diseases from gout to cancer. More than any other cytokine family, the IL-1 family is closely linked to innate inflammatory and immune responses. This linkage is because the cytoplasmic segment of all members of the IL-1 family of receptors contains a domain, which is highly homologous to the cytoplasmic domains of all toll-like receptors (TLRs). This domain, termed "toll IL-1 receptor (TIR) domain," signals as does the IL-1 receptors; therefore, inflammation due to the TLR and the IL-1 families is nearly the same. Fundamental responses such as the induction of cyclo-oxygenase type 2, increased surface expression of cellular adhesion molecules and increased gene expression of a broad number of inflammatory molecules characterizes IL-1 signal transduction as it does for TLR agonists. IL-1β is the most studied member of the IL-1 family because of its role in mediating autoinflammatory disease. However, a role for IL-1α in disease is being validated because of the availability of a neutralizing monoclonal antibody to human IL-1α. There are presently three approved therapies for blocking IL-1 activity. Anakinra is a recombinant form of the naturally occurring IL-1 receptor antagonist, which binds to the IL-1 receptor and prevents the binding of IL-1β as well as IL-1α. Rilonacept is a soluble decoy receptor that neutralizes primarily IL-1β but also IL-1α. Canakinumab is a human monoclonal antibody that neutralizes only IL-1β. Thus, a causal or significant contributing role can be established for IL-1β and IL-1α in human disease.

Rate and patient features associated with recurrence of acute myocarditis

BACKGROUND

Rate and patient features associated with recurrence after acute myocarditis are largely unknown.

METHODS AND RESULTS

First recurrence of acute myocarditis was studied in 1662 patients aged 16-70 years using a registry data of 29 hospitals in Finland (median follow-up 4.5 years). Matched intoxication patients served as controls. Incidence rate of first time hospitalization due to acute myocarditis was 5.52 (CI 5.26-5.79) per 100,000 person-years during 2001-2008. During the first 30 days 5.5% (CI 3.5-4.4%) of patients were re-admitted to hospital with acute myocarditis (p<0.0001 vs. controls). After 30 days, recurrence rate was 7.0% (CI 5.7-8.6%; p<0.0001 vs. controls). Acute myocarditis recurred after 365 days in 4.7% (CI 3.2-6.7%) of patients (p<0.0001 vs. controls). During the whole follow-up, recurrence rate was 10.3% (CI 8.8-12.1%; p<0.0001 vs. controls) with median recurrence time of 34.5 days. Prolonged (>7 days) initial admission was associated with recurrences during (HR 2.9; CI 1.6-5.2) and after first month (HR 1.8; CI 1.2-3.2), and overall (HR 2.0; CI 1.3-3.2). Ventricular arrhythmia at initial occurrence was associated with recurrence after 30 days (HR 8.6; CI 2.5-30.1), after 1 year (HR 22.6; CI 2.5-201.4) and overall (HR 6.7; CI 2.3-6.7). Other features associated with recurrence were younger age (>365 days), inflammatory bowel disease (during first month), and chronic pulmonary disease (≥ 30 days).

CONCLUSIONS

Acute myocarditis reoccurs in a significant proportion of patients. Prolonged initial admission, ventricular arrhythmias, younger age, inflammatory bowel disease and chronic pulmonary disease are associated with recurrences at different phases after acute myocarditis.

Intravenous immunoglobulin therapy for refractory recurrent pericarditis

Recurrent pericarditis is a troublesome complication of idiopathic acute pericarditis and occurs more frequently in pediatric patients after cardiac surgery (postpericardiotomy syndrome). Conventional treatment with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, and colchicine is not always effective or may cause serious adverse effects. There is no consensus, however, on how to proceed in those patients whose disease is refractory to conventional therapy. In such cases, human intravenous immunoglobulin, immunosuppressive drugs, and biological agents have been used. In this report we describe 2 patients with refractory recurrent pericarditis after cardiac surgery who were successfully treated with 3 and 5 monthly high-dose (2 g/kg) intravenous immunoglobulin until resolution of the effusion. Our experience supports the effectiveness and safety of this therapy.

Clinical profile and influences on outcomes in patients hospitalized for acute pericarditis

BACKGROUND

The clinical profile with regard to sex and the influences on outcomes in patients who have been hospitalized for acute pericarditis is largely uncharacterized.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We studied all patients aged ≥16 years admitted to the hospital because of acute pericarditis (postpericardiotomy and myocardial infarction associated pericarditis were excluded). Data were collected from a Finnish national registry that included data on all cardiovascular admissions (670 409) during 9.5 years in 29 hospitals nationwide. During the study period, there were 1361 admissions for acute pericarditis. Pericarditis patients were more likely to be male (64.9% of patients) than female (35.1%), with an age-adjusted likelihood ratio of 1.85 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.65-2.06; P<0.0001) for male sex. The standardized incidence rate of hospitalizations for acute pericarditis was 3.32 per 100 000 person-years. Men 16 to 65 years of age were at higher risk for pericarditis (relative risk, 2.02; 95% CI, 1.81-2.26; P<0.0001) than women in the general admitted population, with the highest risk difference among young adults. Acute pericarditis caused 0.20% (95% CI, 0.19%-0.22%) of all cardiovascular admissions. The proportion of pericarditis-caused admissions declined by an estimated 51% per 10-year increase in age. The in-hospital mortality rate for acute pericarditis was 1.1% (95% CI, 0.6%-1.8%). Mortality increased with age (hazard ratio, 3.26; 95% CI, 1.78-5.95 per 10-year increase in age; P=0.0001) and severe coinfection (pneumonia or septicemia; hazard ratio, 13.46; 95% CI, 2.26-80.01; P<0.005) but was not associated with sex in multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients hospitalized for acute pericarditis are more commonly male. Increasing age and severe coinfection are associated with greater in-hospital mortality in hospitalized acute pericarditis patients.

Etiology and characteristics of large symptomatic pericardial effusion in a community hospital in the contemporary era

BACKGROUND

The etiology and laboratory characteristics of large symptomatic pericardial effusion (LSPE) in the Western world have evolved over the years, and vary between regions, community and tertiary hospitals.

METHODS

We reviewed data of 86 consecutive patients who underwent pericardiocentesis or pericardial window due to LSPE in a community hospital from 2001 to 2010. The characteristics of the PE including chemistry, hematology, bacteriology, serology and cytology have been analyzed. We correlated the etiologies of PE with age, gender and clinical presentation.

RESULTS

The most frequent etiology of LSPE was idiopathic [36% (77% with a clinical diagnosis of pericarditis)], followed by malignancy (31.4%), ischemic heart disease (16.3%), renal failure (4.6%), trauma (4.6%) and autoimmune disease (4.6%). The average age of all the etiological groups excluding trauma was over 50 years. Laboratory tests did not modify the pre-procedure diagnosis in any of the patients. The most frequent presenting symptom was dyspnea (76.6%). Chest pain was mostly common in patients with idiopathic etiology (58.06%). The most frequent medical condition associated with LSPE was the use of anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs (31.40%), especially aspirin, and in those, the PE tended to be bloody (73%, P = 0.11). Most of the effusions were exudates (70.9%). PE due to renal failure was the largest (1467 ± 1387 ml).

CONCLUSION

The spectrum of etiologies of LSPE in a community hospital in the Western world in the contemporary era is continuously evolving. The most frequent etiology is now idiopathic, followed by malignancy. Routine laboratory testing still rarely modifies the pre-procedure diagnosis.

Purulent pericarditis after liver abscess: a case report

We present the case of a 49-year-old woman, with previous clinical antecedents of recent hepatic metastasis, who was admitted to the ICU due to respiratory failure and hemodynamic instability. She was found to have purulent pericarditis complicated by pericardial tamponade and pleural effusion, as well as surgical site infection, which was the origin of the disease. Cultures of the surgical wound and the pericardial effusion were positive for Enterococcus faecalis and Escherichia coli. A pericardial tap was performed and the intra-abdominal abscess was surgically drained. Pleural effusion was also evacuated. She received antibiotic treatment and recovered successfully. The only after-effect was a well-tolerated effusive-constrictive pericarditis.

New electrocardiographic criteria to differentiate acute pericarditis and myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVE

Transmural myocardial ischemia induces changes in QRS complex and QT interval duration but, theoretically, these changes might not occur in acute pericarditis provided that the injury is not transmural. This study aims to assess whether QRS and QT duration permit distinguishing acute pericarditis and acute transmural myocardial ischemia.

METHODS

Clinical records and 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) at ×2 magnification were analyzed in 79 patients with acute pericarditis and in 71 with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

RESULTS

ECG leads with maximal ST-segment elevation showed longer QRS complex and shorter QT interval than leads with isoelectric ST segment in patients with STEMI (QRS: 85.9 ± 13.6 ms vs 81.3 ± 10.4 ms, P = .01; QT: 364.4 ± 38.6 vs 370.9 ± 37.0 ms, P = .04), but not in patients with pericarditis (QRS: 81.5 ± 12.5 ms vs 81.0 ± 7.9 ms, P = .69; QT: 347.9 ± 32.4 vs 347.3 ± 35.1 ms, P = .83). QT interval dispersion among the 12-ECG leads was greater in STEMI than in patients with pericarditis (69.8 ± 20.8 ms vs 50.6 ± 20.2 ms, P <.001). The diagnostic yield of classical ECG criteria (PR deviation and J point level in lead aVR and the number of leads with ST-segment elevation, ST-segment depression, and PR-segment depression) increased significantly (P = .012) when the QRS and QT changes were added to the diagnostic algorithm.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with acute STEMI, but not those with acute pericarditis, show prolongation of QRS complex and shortening of QT interval in ECG leads with ST-segment elevation. These new findings may improve the differential diagnostic yield of the classical ECG criteria.

A case of seasonal recurrent myopericarditis

Myopericarditis occurs in 15% of patients with pericarditis. Recurrent myopericarditis occurs in 15% to 30% of patients after partial or complete recovery from acute myopericarditis. Relapse often occurs within 1 month of an initial episode. The standard of care for pericarditis or myopericarditis is initial treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for 10 to 14 days. Colchicine is often administered for 3 to 6 months for residual chest pain due to myopericarditis. The authors present a case of seasonal recurrent myopericarditis in a 32-year-old man who presented with severe chest pain in nearly the same month for 4 consecutive years. The authors conducted an extensive review of the literature but found no other case reports of seasonal recurrent myopericarditis. If a patient presents with severe chest pain requiring hospitalization, physicians should consider prescribing nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or colchicine before seasonal symptom recurrence.

Treating inflammation by blocking interleukin-1 in humans

IL-1 is a master cytokine of local and systemic inflammation. With the availability of specific IL-1 targeting therapies, a broadening list of diseases has revealed the pathologic role of IL-1-mediated inflammation. Although IL-1, either IL-1α or IL-1β, was administered to patients in order to improve bone marrow function or increase host immune responses to cancer, these patients experienced unacceptable toxicity with fever, anorexia, myalgias, arthralgias, fatigue, gastrointestinal upset and sleep disturbances; frank hypotension occurred. Thus it was not unexpected that specific pharmacological blockade of IL-1 activity in inflammatory diseases would be beneficial. Monotherapy blocking IL-1 activity in a broad spectrum of inflammatory syndromes results in a rapid and sustained reduction in disease severity. In common conditions such as heart failure and gout arthritis, IL-1 blockade can be effective therapy. Three IL-1blockers have been approved: the IL-1 receptor antagonist, anakinra, blocks the IL-1 receptor and therefore reduces the activity of IL-1α and IL-1β. A soluble decoy receptor, rilonacept, and a neutralizing monoclonal anti-interleukin-1β antibody, canakinumab, are also approved. A monoclonal antibody directed against the IL-1 receptor and a neutralizing anti-IL-1α are in clinical trials. By specifically blocking IL-1, we have learned a great deal about the role of this cytokine in inflammation but equally important, reducing IL-1 activity has lifted the burden of disease for many patients.

Management of pericarditis and myocarditis: could heart-rate-reducing drugs hold a promise?

Rest is usually recommended in acute pericarditis and acute myocarditis. Given that myocarditis often leads to hospitalization, this task seems easy to carry out in hospital practice; however, it could be a real challenge at home in daily life. Heart rate-lowering treatments (mainly beta-blockers) are usually recommended in case of acute myocarditis, especially in case of heart failure or arrhythmias, but level of proof remains weak. Calcium channel inhibitors and digoxin are sometimes proposed, albeit in limited situations. It is possible that rest or even heart rate-lowering treatments could help to manage these patients by preventing heart failure as well as by limiting "mechanical inflammation" and controlling arrhythmias, especially life-threatening ones. Whether heart rate has an effect on inflammation remains unclear. Several questions remain unsolved, such as the duration of such treatments, especially in light of new heart rate-lowering treatments, such as ivabradine. In this review, we discuss rest and heart-rate lowering medications for the treatment of pericarditis and myocarditis. We also highlight some work in experimental models that indicates the beneficial effects of such treatments for these conditions. Finally, we suggest certain experimental avenues, through the use of animal models and clinical studies, which could lead to improved management of these patients.

Postcardiotomy syndrome: recurrent cardiac tamponade and an exquisite steroid response

A 26-year-old woman presented moribund with fever and pleuritic chest pain 3 times in 4 months following elective aortic root surgery. She was admitted 41 days after surgery with cardiac tamponade requiring surgical drainage twice within 1 week. Despite this, she was re-admitted for a second time 4 days after discharge with persistent pericardial effusion. High fevers and an incidental regurgitant murmur were extensively investigated for and treated as possible endocarditis or graft infection without conclusive results. The patient spent a total of 61 days in hospital during this period, receiving seven different antibiotic courses. Her third admission, with most severe clinical features, nearly led to further surgery and removal of her aortic graft but instead culminated in a multidisciplinary team decision to initiate steroid therapy for postcardiotomy syndrome. A short course of oral prednisolone saw her pericardial effusion and symptoms resolve completely.