What is a common treatment option for patients with pericarditis?

The correct treatment option for patients with pericarditis is anti-inflammatory medications. Pericarditis is the inflammation of the pericardium, the membrane surrounding the heart, and this condition is often characterized by chest pain and discomfort. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly employed to reduce inflammation and alleviate pain associated with the condition.

In some cases, corticosteroids may be prescribed. These medications work by decreasing inflammation more effectively than NSAIDs, especially in cases where there is a risk of recurrent pericarditis or if the patient is unresponsive to NSAIDs. The use of anti-inflammatory medications directly addresses the underlying inflammatory process of pericarditis, making them the cornerstone of initial treatment.

Antibiotics would be used in cases of infectious pericarditis; however, not all pericarditis cases are due to infection, making antibiotics not a universal treatment option. Diuretics are generally used to treat fluid overload and conditions such as heart failure, rather than addressing the inflammatory nature of pericarditis. Pacemaker insertion is a procedure typically reserved for patients with arrhythmias or conduction disturbances rather than for treating pericarditis itself. Thus, anti-inflammatory medications are the most appropriate first