10th May 2025

A patient is seen in the cardiology outpatient unit following a diagnosis of acute pericarditis 8 weeks ago which he was treated for using a treatment regime he could not remember.

A patient is seen in the cardiology outpatient unit following a diagnosis of acute pericarditis 8 weeks ago  which he was treated for using a treatment regime he could not remember. He reports feeling generally  unwell with fatigue over the last couple of weeks but had put this down to not getting out as much  following his exercise restriction period following pericarditis and recovering from the flu. On  examination, he is not dyspnoeic at rest. He has a faint pericardial rub heard best at the left sternal edge,  which can also be heard when holding his breath. His lung fields are clear. ECHO shows a small  pericardial effusion, with no obvious evidence of significant impairment of myocardial contractility.  

Considering the most likely diagnosis, what treatment regime would be the most appropriate  for this patient? 

Select the SINGLE most appropriate option from the list below. Select ONE option only.