Age-stratified patterns in clinical presentation, treatment and outcomes in acute pericarditis: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: There are limited data on acute pericarditis according to different age groups. The aim of this study is to investigate the role of age-related features in clinical characteristics, management, and outcomes of acute pericarditis, with a focus on the geriatric population. METHODS: Patients with a first episode of acute pericarditis were consecutively enrolled between January 2014 and June 2022, and divided into four groups according to age (G1: 18-35 years; G2: 35-55 years; G3: 55-75 years; G4: >75 years). Clinical characteristics and medical therapy were recorded at baseline, and during follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 471 patients (median age 56.3 (IQR 33-73) years, 32.3% women) were included. Younger age (G1-G2-G3) was associated with a higher frequency of chest pain, pericardial rubs (p<0001), ECG changes (p=0.002) and were more commonly treated with colchicine (p<0.001), and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (p=0.006). Older patients (G4) depicted more commonly dyspnoea, pericardial/pleural effusion (p=0.007) and were more often treated with corticosteroids (p=0.037). A secondary cause of pericarditis was detected in 128/471 (27.2%) patients. Older patients were more commonly hospitalised and had a complicated course with new-onset atrial fibrillation (p<0.001) and cardiac tamponade (p=0.005), compared with younger patients, who presented more recurrences (respectively G1: 43.0%, G2: 34.7%, G3: 28.2% and G4: 16.2%; p<0.001). After multivariable analysis, younger age remained the strongest independent predictor for recurrences (HR 3.23, 95% CI 1.81 to 5.58, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Older age is associated with less recurrences of pericarditis, but more severe complications with need for hospitalisation.

Efficacy of colchicine in addition to anakinra in patients with recurrent pericarditis.

AIM: Anakinra, an anti IL-1 agent targeting IL-1 alfa and beta, is available for the treatment of recurrent pericarditis in cases with corticosteroid dependence and colchicine resistance after failure of conventional therapies. However, it is unclear if the combination with colchicine, a non-specific inhibitor of the inflammasome targeting the same inflammatory pathway of IL-1, could provide additional benefit to prevent further recurrences. The aim of the present observational study is to assess whether the addition of colchicine on top of anakinra could prolong the time to first recurrence and prevent recurrences better than anakinra alone. METHODS: International, all-comers, multicentre, retrospective observational cohort study analysing all consecutive patients treated with anakinra for corticosteroid-dependent and colchicine-resistant recurrent pericarditis. The efficacy endpoint was recurrence rate and the time to the first recurrence. RESULTS: A total of 256 patients (mean age 45.0±15.4 years, 65.6% females, 80.9% with idiopathic/viral aetiology) were included. 64 (25.0%) were treated with anakinra as monotherapy while 192 (75.0%) with both anakinra and colchicine. After a follow-up of 12 months, 56 (21.9%) patients had recurrences. Patients treated with colchicine added to anakinra had a lower incidence of recurrences (respectively, 18.8% vs 31.3%; p=0.036) and a longer event-free survival (p=0.025). In multivariable analysis, colchicine use prevented recurrences (HR 0.52, 95% CI 0.29 to 0.91; p=0.021). CONCLUSIONS: The addition of colchicine on top of anakinra treatment could be helpful to reduce recurrences and prolong the recurrence-free survival.

Efficacy and safety of colchicine for the treatment of myopericarditis.

OBJECTIVE: Clinical trials have evaluated the efficacy and safety of colchicine only in simple pericarditis, excluding cases of concomitant myocarditis. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of colchicine for the treatment of the first attack of acute pericarditis with concomitant myocardial involvement. METHODS: Double-centre retrospective cohort study analysing consecutive patients admitted for first attack of pericarditis with myocarditis and treated with or without colchicine. The primary efficacy end point was the time to the first recurrence. Propensity score matching was used to generate two groups of patients with similar baseline characteristics. Colchicine-associated side effects were analysed as safety end-point. RESULTS: A total of 175 patients (mean age 46.2±20.1 years, 25.1% females, 88.6% with idiopathic/viral aetiology) were included. Seventy-nine (45.1%) patients were treated with colchicine. After a median follow-up of 25.3 (IQR 8.3-45.6) months, 58 (33.1%) patients had recurrences. The propensity score generated two groups of 73 patients with similar baseline characteristics but the use of colchicine. Patients treated with colchicine had a lower incidence of recurrences (respectively, 19.2% vs 43.8%; p=0.001) and a longer event-free survival (p=0.005). In multivariable analysis, women (HR 1.97, 95% CI 1.04 to 3.73; p=0.037) and corticosteroid use (HR 2.27, 95% CI 1.15 to 4.47; p=0.018) were independent risk factors for recurrences. Colchicine-associated side effects were mild and occurred in 3 (1.7%) patients. CONCLUSION: In patients with first attack of pericarditis associated with myocardial involvement, colchicine was safe and efficacious for the reduction of recurrences.

New Developments in the Management of Recurrent Pericarditis.

Recurrent pericarditis is a common and troublesome complication that affects 15%-30% of patients with a previous episode of pericarditis. However, the pathogenesis of these recurrences is not well understood, and most cases remain idiopathic. Recent advances in medical therapy, including the use of colchicine and anti-interleukin-1 agents like anakinra and rilonacept, have suggested an autoinflammatory rather than an autoimmune mechanism for recurrences with an inflammatory phenotype. As a result, a more personalized approach to treatment is now recommended. Patients with an inflammatory phenotype (fever and elevated C-reactive protein level) should receive colchicine and anti-interleukin-1 agents as first-line therapy, whereas those without systemic inflammation should receive low to moderate doses of corticosteroids (eg, prednisone 0.2-0.5 mg/kg/d as an initial dose) and consider azathioprine and intravenous human immunoglobulins in the case of corticosteroid failure. Tapering of corticosteroids should be slow after achieving clinical remission. In this article, we review the new developments in the management of recurrent pericarditis.

Coronavirus disease 2019 vaccination-related pericarditis: a single tertiary-center experience.

AIMS: Vaccination represents a cornerstone of prevention in the COVID-19 pandemic. Rare adverse events including acute pericarditis and myopericarditis have been reported. METHODS: All consecutive patients referred to our referral center for pericardial diseases following COVID-19 vaccination from 1 April 2021 to 15 April 2022 were included. Acute pericarditis and myopericarditis were diagnosed according to ESC guidelines. Patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection were excluded from the study. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients (79% men) aged 39.7 ±â€Š19.8 years were referred to our center with pericarditis after receiving COVID-19 vaccination. Thirteen (54%) patients were diagnosed with myopericarditis. The mean time between vaccination and symptoms onset was 7.0 ±â€Š4.9 days, and the most frequent symptom was pericarditic chest pain (83%). Respectively, 50 and 33% of patients presented after the second and the third dose of the vaccine. Almost all patients were treated with both nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and colchicine. Five patients (21%) experienced a recurrence of pericarditis. No patient died or developed constrictive pericarditis. Mean follow-up was 8.0 ±â€Š3.2 months. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 vaccine-related pericarditis typically manifest with mild clinical signs, in young male individuals, a few days after the second or third vaccine dose and are commonly characterized by a rapid complete recovery.

Unexpected Cause of Pericarditis: Chest Teratoma.

Mediastinal teratoma rarely causes pericarditis. We report a case of a 22-year-old young female admitted to the emergency department for inspiratory chest pain and fever with severe pericardial effusion, unexepectable the cause of pericarditis was a mediastinal teratoma.

Prevalence Of familial hypercholeSTerolaemia (FH) in Italian Patients with coronary artERy disease: The POSTER study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is a powerful risk factor for cardiovascular (CV) events. High levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) since birth are linked to the early onset of atherosclerotic disease. A genetic mutation determining FH is present in about one subject out of 250; FH should be more represented among subjects with a documented diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD). The POSTER Study evaluated the prevalence of FH in Italian patients with a recent CAD event. METHODS: Eighty-two cardiology centres enrolled patients with a documented CAD event; CV risk profile, drug therapy and biochemical parameters were collected. Dutch Lipid Clinic Network (DLCN) criteria were used to define patients with a potential FH diagnosis (score ≥6); these patients underwent molecular testing for genetic diagnosis of FH. RESULTS: Overall, 5415 patients were enrolled and the main index events were myocardial infarction with ST-elevation, non ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (ACS), or a recent coronary revascularization (34.8%, 37.2%, and 28% respectively). Mean age was 66 ± 11 years, men were 78%; about 40% were already treated with statins, proportion that increased after the acute event (96.5%). Based on the DLCN score, the prevalence of potential FH was 5.1%, 0.9% of them had a diagnosis of definite FH (score >8). These patients were younger than patients with a score <6 (56 ± 10 vs 66 ± 11, p < 0.001), and LDL-C levels were in most of them (~87%) >190 mg/dL. FH was genetically confirmed in 42 subjects (15.9%); genetic diagnosis was defined as not conclusive for FH in 63 patients (23.9%). Finally, in 159 subjects (60.2%) no pathogenic mutations in the tested genes were identified, defining them as negative for monogenic familial hypercholesterolemia. CONCLUSIONS: Results underscore a relatively high prevalence of potential FH in patients with a recent CAD event. Therefore, an early identification of these subjects may help improve the management of their high CV risk and, by cascade screening, identify possible FH relatives.

Anakinra for corticosteroid-dependent and colchicine-resistant pericarditis: The IRAP (International Registry of Anakinra for Pericarditis) study.

AIMS: Novel therapies are needed for recurrent pericarditis, particularly when corticosteroid dependent and colchicine resistant. Based on limited data, interleukin-1 blockade with anakinra may be beneficial. The aim of this multicentre registry was to evaluate the broader effectiveness and safety of anakinra in a 'real world' population. METHODS AND RESULTS: This registry enrolled consecutive patients with recurrent pericarditis who were corticosteroid dependent and colchicine resistant and treated with anakinra. The primary outcome was the pericarditis recurrence rate after treatment. Secondary outcomes included emergency department visits, hospitalisations, corticosteroid use and adverse events. Among 224 patients (46 ± 14 years old, 63% women, 75% idiopathic), the median duration of disease was 17 months (interquartile range 9-33). Most patients had elevated C-reactive protein (91%) and pericardial effusion (88%). After a median treatment of 6 months (3-12), pericarditis recurrences were reduced six-fold (2.33-0.39 per patient per year), emergency department admissions were reduced 11-fold (1.08-0.10 per patient per year), hospitalisations were reduced seven-fold (0.99-0.13 per patient per year). Corticosteroid use was decreased by anakinra (respectively from 80% to 27%; P < 0.001). No serious adverse events occurred; adverse events consisted mostly of transient skin reactions (38%) at the injection site. Adverse events led to discontinuation in 3%. A full-dose treatment duration of over 3 months followed by a tapering period of over 3 months were the therapeutic schemes associated with a lower risk of recurrence. CONCLUSION: In patients with recurrent pericarditis, anakinra appears efficacious and safe in reducing recurrences, emergency department admissions and hospitalisations.

Systemic chemotherapy in combination with pericardial window has better outcomes in malignant pericardial effusions.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to compare systemic chemotherapy (CT) with drainage and with pericardial window in the treatment of neoplastic pericarditis in patients with various malignancies included in the International Neoplastic Pericarditis Treatment study. METHODS: Patients treated with systemic CT alone (Group A), CT plus drainage (Group B), or CT plus pericardial window (Group C) were included. Treatment response was defined as complete response (ie, no more pericardial effusion or masses), partial response (ie, reduced total score, without requiring further treatments), stable disease (ie, unchanged total score), or progressive disease (ie, increased total score). Patients with partial or complete response were considered responders. RESULTS: This preliminary report included 175 patients (56.6% male) with a mean age of 54.21±14.26 years. Gender distribution, age, and follow-up duration was similar for all groups (P>.05). Prevalent cancer types were lung cancer (50.9%), breast cancer (14.9%), and lymphoma/leukemia (14.9%). Overall, 22.3%, 42.9%, and 34.9% of patients were in treatment group A, B, and C, respectively. There were 132 responders (75.3%). The rate of responders significantly differed between groups (P<.001); it was significantly higher in Group B than in Group A (P<.05) and in Group C than in Group B (P=.006). The significant factors affecting response were therapy (P=.002) and extent of effusion (P=.037). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that patients in Group C had a significantly better survival rate than patients in the other groups (P=.001). CONCLUSIONS: Systemic CT plus pericardial window is a more effective treatment option compared with systemic CT alone and systemic CT plus drainage in patients with malignant effusions.

Clinical spectrum of fascicular tachycardia.

AIMS: Ventricular tachycardia spreading from the anterior or posterior division of the left bundle branch is generally called fascicular tachycardia (FT). We will present our experience with FT, a type of ventricular tachycardia not necessarily implying the absence of heart disease and/or sensitivity to selective antiarrhythmic drugs, but only particular routes of left ventricular depolarization. METHODS: Since 1981 we have had the opportunity to study 10 cases of FT (nine men and one woman; aged 28-77 years, mean ±â€ŠSD 55 ±â€Š18.6 years) by means of echocardiography, coronary angiography (seven cases), endomyocardial biopsy (five cases), signal-averaged electrocardiogram (SAECG, nine patients), electrophysiological and electropharmacological evaluation. RESULTS: Seven patients had paroxystic, extrastimulus inducible FT that was sensitive to verapamil given intravenously (group A); three patients, on the other hand, showed repetitive or incessant FT, not modifiable by stimulation techniques and sensitive to class 1 antiarrhythmic drugs (group B). Patients presented histologic substrates ranging from the absence of heart disease to previous myocardial infarction or myocarditis. FT spontaneously disappeared within 2 years in group B, while frequently persisted in the long term in group A. CONCLUSIONS: FT is not a homogeneous group of ventricular tachycardia, as patients may differ according to clinical presentation, mechanisms that are involved in the genesis of the arrhythmia and natural history; the histologic substrate is highly variable, ranging from the total absence of heart disease to severe forms of myocardial involvement.

Infarct-like acute myocarditis: relation between electrocardiographic findings and myocardial damage as assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.

BACKGROUND: Acute myocarditis (AM) may occasionally have an infarct-like presentation. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relation between electrocardiographic (ECG) findings in this group of patients and myocardial damage assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with the late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) technique. HYPOTHESIS: Myocardial damage may be associated with ECG changes in infarct-like AM. METHODS: Forty-one consecutive patients (36 males; mean age, 36 ± 12 years) with diagnosis of AM according to cardiac MRI Lake Louise criteria and infarct-like presentation were included. The relation between site of ST-segment elevation (STE), sum of STE (sumSTE), time to normalization of STE, and development of negative T wave with the extent of LGE (expressed as % of left ventricular mass [%LV LGE]), was evaluated. RESULTS: Most (80%) patients presented with inferolateral STE; mean sumSTE was 5 ± 3 mm. Normalization of STE occurred within 24 hours in 20 (49%) patients. Development of negative T wave occurred in 28 (68%) patients. Cardiac MRI showed LGE in all patients; mean %LV LGE was 9.6 ± 7.2%. Topographic agreement between site of STE and LGE was 68%. At multivariate analysis, sumSTE (ß = 0.42, P < 0.001), normalization of STE >24 hours (ß = 0.39, P < 0.001), and development of negative T wave (ß = 0.49, P < 0.001) were independently related to %LV LGE. CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of the site of STE underestimates the extent of myocardial injury among patients with infarct-like myocarditis. However, some ECG features (ie, sumSTE, normalization of STE >24 hours, and development of negative T wave) may help to identify patients with larger areas of myocardial damage.

Clinical presentation and long-term follow-up of perimyocarditis.

BACKGROUND: The natural history of perimyocarditis (PMY) is not yet completely known. We aimed to analyse the clinical laboratory data of PMY at diagnosis and during follow-up, in order to assess the natural history and prognostic stratification of the disease (including different aetiology). METHODS: We enrolled 62 consecutive patients (men 79%, aged 38 ± 18 years) with PMY (84% idiopathic, 8% autoimmune, 8% infective) from August 2002 to July 2010. The diagnosis has been made according to clinical and laboratory data (significant increase of troponin I in all patients). After at least 1 year (mean follow-up: 1635 ± 298 days), 59 patients (95%) had available data. RESULTS: Chest pain was present in 59 patients (95%), flu-like syndrome in 36 (58%) and pericardial rubs in 15 (24%). None of the patients showed heart failure at presentation. At admission, eight patients (13%) presented mild-moderate left ventricular systolic dysfunction, 13 (22%) showed wall motion abnormalities, and 10 (17%) showed mild pericardial effusion. At 1 year no patients died, developed heart failure or showed abnormal echocardiogram. NSAIDs were the first choice therapy in 61 (98%) patients with clinical resolution in 58 (95%) of them. Seven patients (12%) experienced intermittent recurrences without development of constrictive pericarditis or heart failure. CONCLUSION: This study underlines the benign mid- to long-term outcome of PMY regardless of clinical laboratory characteristics at presentation, different aetiology and possibility of relapses; minimizing the role of endomyocardial biopsy in these specific patients.

Is there a relationship between atrial septal aneurysm and atrial tachycardia?

We describe the case of a 37-year-old woman with atrial tachycardia associated to atrial septal aneurysm. We consider a localized reentry mechanism as the pathogenetic mechanism of the arrhythmia as demostrated by means of electrophisiological evaluation and electroanatomical mapping. The treatment by radiofrequency appears as an effective and well tolerated treatment of this unusual left atrial tachycardia.

Late coronary thrombosis in paclitaxel-eluting stents. Case reports.

Drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation has reduced angiographic and clinical restenosis that actually develops in less than 10% of treated patients. DESs also tend to delay the endothelialisation process increasing the risk of stent thrombosis. Subacute stent thrombosis may complicate long-term success of coronary angioplasty; it is a sudden event and usually causes acute myocardial infarction or sudden cardiac death. Patients undergoing DES implantation should be treated with dual antiplatelet therapy for at least 3-6 months. We describe two cases presenting with ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction due to stent thrombosis that occurred late after deployment of a paclitaxel-eluting stent, after discontinuation of antiplatelet therapy. It is important, for clinical cardiologists and general practitioners, to know the potential risk of late thrombosis of DES patients and, consequently, the implications regarding management of antiplatelet therapy.

Re-expansion unilateral pulmonary oedema after surgical drainage of a giant hepatic cyst: a case report.

Re-expansion pulmonary oedema is an uncommon and potentially life-threatening complication after rapid expansion of a collapsed lung. Symptom onset (cough, chest pain, dyspnoea) is often sudden and the clinical picture may be dramatic. Pathogenesis is complex and partially unclear. A well-timed intensive therapy allows a better prognosis. To date, only one case of re-expansion pulmonary oedema following fenestration of a giant hepatic cyst has been reported in the literature. We here report a new case after surgical fenestration of a giant hepatic cyst.