title: Acute pericarditis due to pegylated interferon alpha therapy for chronic HCV hepatitis - case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cardio toxicity due to interferon therapy was reported only in small case series or case reports. The most frequent cardiac adverse effects related to interferon are arrhythmias and ischemic manifestations. The cardiomyopathy and pericarditis are rare but can be life threatening. The predisposing factors for interferon cardio toxicity were described only for ischemic manifestations and arrhythmias.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors report a case of pericarditis due to alpha interferon therapy for chronic hepatitis C, in a young woman without previous cardiac pathology. The clinical manifestations started during the 7-th month of interferon treatment. The cessation of interferon was necessary. After interferon discontinuation the patient recovered, with complete resolution of pericarditis. The patient scored 9 points on the Naranjo ADR probability scale, indicating a very probable association between pericarditis and interferon administration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  If a patient receiving interferon therapy complains of chest pain of sudden onset, a cardiac ultrasound should be performed in order to rule out pericarditis. We point out the possibility of an infrequent but severe adverse effect of interferon therapy.
authors: Matei Bals National Institute of Infectious Diseases, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila Bucharest, Grozovici 1, sector 2, Romania. crispopescu3@yahoo.com
authors: Cristina
authors: C
authors: Popescu
authors: Victoria
authors: V
authors: Arama
authors: Smaranda
authors: S
authors: Gliga
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007052:Ibuprofen / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010493:Pericarditis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D028761:Withholding Treatment
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012254:Ribavirin; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a; D007052:Ibuprofen