Which treatment is commonly used for pericarditis?

The treatment of pericarditis often involves the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) as they help reduce pain and inflammation associated with the condition. NSAIDs are typically the first line of treatment due to their effectiveness in alleviating symptoms caused by the inflammation of the pericardial sac.

In some cases, if a bacterial infection is suspected or confirmed, the use of antibiotics becomes necessary to treat the underlying infection while managing pain and inflammation with NSAIDs. Therefore, the combination of NSAIDs and antibiotics addresses both symptoms and any potential infectious etiology, which is crucial in managing pericarditis effectively.

Other options like surgery are not commonly used as a first-line treatment for pericarditis. Surgery may be indicated in specific cases, such as for effusive-constrictive pericarditis or when there are complications like cardiac tamponade, but these situations are less frequent. Similarly, rest and observation might be part of the management strategy, especially in mild cases, but it does not address the inflammation and pain that NSAIDs would. Thus, the most comprehensive approach includes both NSAIDs to manage inflammation and antibiotics if there's an infectious component, making the combination the most common treatment for pericarditis.