Recent Studies on Pericarditis

Pericarditis
Pericarditis is characterized generally by chronic inflammation around the heart and may result in fluid around the heart. The cause of pericarditis is unknown in most of the cases. However, it may be caused by cancer, tuberculosis, or an underactive thyroid gland (called hypothyroidism), and it sometimes develops in people who have chronic kidney disease (CKD) or who kidney has been severely damaged. The most common known causes are viral infections, radiation therapy for breast cancer or lymphoma in the chest, and surgery of the heart.

Symptoms of pericardial problems are such as chest pain, fast heartbeat, and difficulty in breathing. Fever is a common symptom of acute pericarditis. Doctors perform physical exam, imaging tests, and heart activity tests to make a diagnosis of the condition. Treatment depends on the cause of the disease/condition.

Pericarditis can develop after a major heart attack also due to the irritation of the damaged heart muscles. Pericarditis can be highly dangerous in certain conditions. It can cause severe complications and some of the conditions can be life threatening. Pericarditis causes profound inflammation around the heart.

Recent clinical studies on pericarditis

• A study identifies that noise generated by military-type aircraft and equipment maintenance in relation to non-auditory effects that impact with the body of the crew and ground staff can cause cardiac pathologies. It is hypothesized that the pilots and the technical personnel of maintenance that work before the exhibition of noise generated by planes or equipment of maintenance present major risk of a cardiac affectation.
• Another study from ‘Scripps Translational Science Institute’ is aimed to identify a relationship between colchicine and reduction of factors affecting triglyceride metabolism, especially apoCIII and VLDL levels. Colchicine may play a role in identifying a new mechanism for lowering TG levels. This will have a great affect on targeting patients who have not met non-HDL goals according to Adult Treatment Panel III (ATPIII guidelines) or at risk for hypertriglyceridemia-induced pancreatitis. The trial will conduct a prospective cohort clinical study of low-dose colchicine in hypertriglyceridemic patients to assess percent reduction of apoCIII, VLDL, and TG.
• The post-pericardiotomy syndrome is a frequent complication after cardiac surgery affecting from 20 to 40% of patients. It is assumed to be an autoimmune response to pericardial and/or pleural bleeding or surgical trauma. Colchicine is safe and effective in the treatment and prevention of pericarditis. Preliminary analysis suggests that it may be effective in the primary prevention of the postpericardiotomy syndrome also.
• With regard to colchicines, another study performed investigation on colchicine to treat and prevent recurrent pericarditis. The study will also compare the safety and efficacy of colchicine in the treatment of the first attack of recurrent pericarditis and the further prevention of subsequent recurrences. Colchicine will be used in addition to conventional treatment in this study. Colchicine 1.0 mg will be given twice daily for the first day followed by a maintenance dose of 0.5 mg twice daily for 6 month in patients with weight above70 kg, and halved doses for patients less than 70 kg in weight or intolerant to the highest dose.