The American College of Cardiology has updated its guidance on pericarditis, led by Cleveland Clinic cardiologists Tom Kai Ming Wang, MD, and Allan Klein, MD, according to an Aug. 6 news release from the organization.
Diagnosis now requires chest pain accompanied by at least one of five supporting criteria, with cardiac MRI and echocardiography playing key diagnostic roles, according to the document, published Aug. 6 in JACC. Colchicine and NSAIDs remain the recommended first-line therapy, while anti-IL-1 biologics such as rilonacept and anakinra are now favored over steroids as second-line treatment for recurrent inflammatory cases.
The guidance aims to reduce persistent challenges in misdiagnosis and delayed treatment, emphasizing the importance of specialized care. It also underscores the need for continued research into optimal biologic duration, risk of recurrence and safe return-to-exercise strategies.
