Recurrent pericardial effusion after cardiac surgery: the use of colchicine after recalcitrant conventional therapy.

Abstract

Pericardial effusion represents a common postoperative complication in cardiac surgery. Nonetheless, it can be resistant to conventional therapy leading to prolonged in-hospital stay and worsening of clinical conditions. Recent literature shows that colchicine therapy should be useful in the treatment of recurrent post surgical pericardial effusion. Hereby we report the case of a patient with postsurgical recurrent effusion treated with colchicine, and a review of literature concerning the use of this old drug.

• Authors: Luca Dainese, Antioco Cappai, Paolo Biglioli
• Journal: Journal of cardiothoracic surgery (J Cardiothorac Surg) Vol. 6 Pg. 96 (Aug 10 2011) ISSN: 1749-8090 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 21831274 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
• Colchicine

Topics

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal (therapeutic use)
• Colchicine (therapeutic use)
• Coronary Artery Bypass (adverse effects)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Pericardial Effusion (drug therapy, etiology, surgery)
• Postpericardiotomy Syndrome (drug therapy, etiology)
• Recurrence