Evidence-Based Diagnosis and Treatment of Recurrent Pericarditis

Presented by: Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals

Speaker: Megha Agarwal, MD, Asst Clinical Professor David Geffen School of Medicine UCLA

Day & Time: Tuesday, October 6, 11:45am – 12:30pm

Location: Exhibit Hall, Expert Theater Hall Two

Approximately 40,000 individuals in the United States seek care for recurrent pericarditis (RP) annually and up to 1 in 3 individuals with an initial episode of pericarditis may experience a recurrence within 18 months. Unlike a first episode, RP often lasts for years in patients with multiple recurrences. While typically not life-threatening, RP is often associated with sharp pain at each episode and the disease can cause significant patient burden both during and in between recurrences – often resulting in hospitalizations, ER visits, and procedures due to flares. The symptoms along with fear or anxiety about having another flare may impair many areas of their lives including their ability to work, mental health, and ability to care for family. Diagnosis and management of RP is often challenging as presentation often varies by patient. At this Kiniksa sponsored promotional event, we will review a paradigm shift from symptom management to an evidence-based strategy that targets and blocks the underlying cause.