A Fix for a Stinging Heart - Pericarditis Treatment in the ED

Pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardial sac. Classically, pericarditis presents with sharp and pleuritic chest pain which is relieved by sitting up and forward. Pericarditis has multiple etiologies, but is most commonly idiopathic, assumed to be viral, in developed countries (1). Treatment of pericarditis should be targeted to the underlying etiology if possible (1). For presumed viral, idiopathic causes, most patients are treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and colchicine (1).