Autoimmunity reviews
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Autoimmunity reviews · Jun 2019
Anakinra in idiopathic recurrent pericarditis refractory to immunosuppressive therapy; a preliminary experience in seven patients.
Approximately 5% of idiopathic recurrent pericarditis (IRP) patients are refractory or intolerant to NSAIDs, Colchicine and corticosteroids. The empiric treatment approach for these patients includes immunosuppression with Azathioprine (AZA) or immunomodulation with intravenous human immunoglobulin (IVIG). We assessed the efficacy and safety of long-term Anakinra treatment in refractory IRP patients after failure of prior immunosuppressive therapy and/or failure of IVIG. ⋯ Long-term Anakinra is a rapid-acting, efficient and safe steroid sparing agent even for patients with IRP refractory to previous immunosuppressive and/or immunomodulatory agents.