title: Efficacy of high-dose intravenous immunoglobulins in two patients with idiopathic recurrent pericarditis refractory to previous immunosuppressive treatment.
abstract: Although idiopathic acute pericarditis is usually a self-limiting disease, in many patients it may recur over a period of months or years. Even if some evidence seems to suggest the possible role of a deranged immune reactivity in the pathogenesis of idiopathic recurrent pericarditis, the etiology of the disease is still unknown. Furthermore, while some trial data confirm the usefulness of colchicine, its medical treatment is not yet clearly established. We here report the clinical history of 2 patients with idiopathic recurrent pericarditis resistant to prednisone, colchicine and other immunosuppressive drugs, who have been successfully treated with high-dose intravenous immunoglobulins.
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Unit, University Hospital, Padua.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tona
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bellotto
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Laveder
authors.forename: Alessia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Meneghin
authors.forename: Gianfranco
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sinagra
authors.forename: Renzo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Marcolongo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003078:Colchicine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004351:Drug Resistance; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D010493:Pericarditis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012008:Recurrence; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D003078:Colchicine; D011241:Prednisone