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Clinical Trials in Pericardial Disease: New Paradigm Shift

  • Pericardial Disease (L Klein and CL Jellis, Section Editors)
  • Published:
Current Cardiology Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Aim of the review is to discuss the results of major clinical trials and how they can have impact on clinical practice.

Recent Findings

Pericardial diseases have been the Cinderella of cardiovascular diseases for many years, but improvements in the knowledge of etiology and the pathophysiology especially of recurrent pericarditis have led to first clinical trials that have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of colchicine on top of standard anti-inflammatory therapies and of anti-IL-1 agents (anakinra and rilonacept) in corticosteroid-dependent and colchicine-resistant pericarditis.

Summary

Current pooled data suggest that anti-IL-1 agents should be a first option for corticosteroid-dependent and colchicine-resistant recurrent pericarditis with evidence of systemic inflammation by means of elevated C-reactive protein. This could translate into an upgraded recommendation for these agents in future guidelines. Treatment of pericardial diseases is improving moving towards a more personalized therapy according to the presentation and etiology, and new or old drugs could be important to expand the therapeutic spectrum.

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References 

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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  1. Cardiology, Santa Maria Della Misericordia University Hospital, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Friuli Centrale (ASUFC) , Cardiothoracic Dpt, Udine, Italy

    Massimo Imazio

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Correspondence to Massimo Imazio.

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M Imazio has been an Advisory Board member for Sobi and Kiniksa.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Pericardial Disease

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Imazio, M. Clinical Trials in Pericardial Disease: New Paradigm Shift. Curr Cardiol Rep 23, 170 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11886-021-01587-z

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