1.3 Pericarditis
| Type of Infection | First Line (with Dosage and Duration) |
Alternative First Line (with dosage and Duration) |
Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uncomplicated | No empirical antibiotics required | Mostly viral etiology | |
| Complicated (features of tamponade) | No empirical antibiotics required | Pericardiocentesis is recommended, when possible, to establish cause.If microbiology laboratory evidence indicates bacterial infection, antibiotics should be started. |
For common etiological agents of Pericarditis, see Annexure B.1.3
Additional Information
- Corticosteroid therapy may be considered on a case-to-case basis for treatment of pericarditis.
- Pericardiocentesis may be considered where cardiac tamponade is imminent.