What is the primary treatment for pericarditis?

The primary treatment for pericarditis is nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). This is due to their effectiveness in alleviating the pain associated with the inflammation of the pericardium, which is the fibrous sac surrounding the heart. NSAIDs help to reduce inflammation and relieve associated symptoms, such as chest pain, which is often a significant complaint in patients with pericarditis.

In the case of acute pericarditis, NSAIDs are usually the first line of treatment because they address both the inflammatory process and the pain effectively. In some instances, if the patient does not respond to NSAIDs or if the pericarditis is of an autoimmune origin, corticosteroids may be considered as alternative treatments. However, these are typically not the first choice due to potential side effects and the need to reserve them for more complicated cases.

Antibiotics are not indicated unless there is a clear infectious etiology, as most cases of pericarditis are not caused by bacterial infections but may be viral or idiopathic. Beta-blockers are typically used for other cardiac conditions, such as arrhythmias or hypertension, and are not a primary treatment modality for pericarditis. The focus on NSAIDs as the main