[Colchicine in the treatment of idiopathic recurrent pericarditis. Report of a case].

Treatment of recurrence, which is one of the major complications of pericarditis, is often difficult. After three recurrences of idiopathic acute pericarditis, over a period of four months, despite therapy with acetylsalicylic acid, indomethacin and methilprednisolone, a patient, 37 years old, responded favorably to colchine treatment. No recurrences, no side effects were observed, after a prolonged low dose treatment. Our report suggests, therefore, that colchinine may be beneficial in acute attacks of idiopathic pericarditis and may be useful in avoiding recurrent episodes of pericarditis.