[Recurrent acute pericarditis. 20 cases].

62 of 100 cases of acute pericarditis observed over 15 years were so-called acute benign pericarditis. 20 of these patients (30%) had multiple relapses. Relapse could not be predicted. The interval between the initial affection and first relapse was usually more than one month (18/20). Each relapse was accompanied by pain, fever, ST-T changes, slight cardiomegaly and acceleration of the ESR. Corticotherapy appeared to be responsible for relapse in 13 cases. In 6 cases the eradication of a deep septic focus prevented further relapses. In two cases the duration of anti-inflammatory therapy was thought to have been insufficient. Antibiotic therapy did not seem to be a provocative factor. Relapses may be numerous (10 to 12) and prolonged (24-36 months) especially in the corticodependant forms in which steroids should be tailed off gradually according to a strict protocol.