Treatment for Uncomplicated Pericarditis
The treatment for uncomplicated pericarditis is non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAIDs) to relieve discomfort.
Steroids are not to be used in the first instance for idiopathic pericarditis as they may increase the risk of recurrence.
They may be used in pericarditis associated with systemic inflammatory disorders. Colchicine can be considered in conjunction with the NSAIDs.
Avoid steroids as first line treatment in idiopathic uncomplicated pericarditis.
Discharging someone from ED with pericarditis without an echocardiogram means that not all poor prognostic indicators have been excluded and that an incomplete assessment has been made. Following a normal echocardiogram a patient may be discharged with NSAIDs if otherwise well.