The limitations of recurrent pericarditis

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The limitations of recurrent pericarditis

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DISEASE PREVALENCE
Up to
30%
of individuals with a first episode of acute pericarditis will experience a recurrent episode within 18 months.1,2

Recurrent pericarditis is diagnosed when there is recurrence of pericarditis signs and symptoms at least 4 to 6 weeks after resolution of an initial acute pericarditis episode.1

A retrospective study of 944 patients with recurrent pericarditis from January 2007 to March 2017 found that the median duration of disease was approximately 6 months for those with 1 recurrence and approximately
3 years for those with ≥2 recurrences.3

All pericarditis~160,000
Idiopathic and
post-cardiac
injury pericarditis
~125,000
Recurrent
pericarditis
~40,000
Patients with
≥2 recurrences*
~14,000
 
 
 

*Nearly 50% turnover in this population annually with ~7000 patients coming in and out of the pool each year.2

UNDERLYING PATHOPHYSIOLOGY

Recurrent pericarditis is driven by an interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1α)– and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β)–mediated autoinflammatory response.4

IL-1α and IL-1β are key cytokines that mediate the pathophysiology of many inflammatory processes, and have been implicated as a causative factor in recurrent pericarditis.4

 

IL-1 receptor IL-1α IL-1β
  • Recurrent pericarditis results from IL-1α– and IL-1β–mediated inflammation of the pericardial sac
  • IL-1α and IL-1β bind to the universally expressed cell surface receptor, IL-1 receptor type-1, triggering a cascade of inflammatory mediators and autoinflammation
  • Preformed IL-1α is released by damaged/inflamed pericardial cells; it may contribute to the maintenance and amplification of inflammation via activation of the NLR family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, which then augments the inflammatory response by production of IL-1β in a cascade amplification system
THE RISK OF RECURRENCE

Despite treatment with commonly prescribed therapies, patients may continue to experience recurrences.4

NSAIDs, colchicine, and corticosteroids do not target the IL-1–mediated cycle of autoinflammation specifically.4,5

The first and only FDA-approved treatment for recurrent pericarditis, ARCALYST offers your patients more than just symptom relief. ARCALYST has been proven to prevent recurrent percarditis flares.

It is an IL-1 inhibitor that blocks the underlying mechanism that drives inflammation. It can be used to relieve pericarditis symptoms and significantly reduce the risk of future pericarditis episodes.6