The Drug-Induced Cardiotoxicity Website and App

XII.b

XII - Pericardial involvement

Pericardial effusion (w/wo tamponade)

Last update 17/06/2026

Pericarditis (i.e. pericardial inflammation) is usually heralded by acute mediothoracic chest pain (PMID 10878205). Large effusions can be ANA positive and cause pericardial tamponade. When present as a longterm sequela, pericardial thickening may cause restriction and constriction. See also under Vc, d, g, m and XIIk (PMID 20511488, 23376916)

Causative drugs

Frequency - Incidence

Incidence of cardiac adverse event(s) due to the specific drug as assessed by number of reported/published cases in the literature. Red digits in stars indicate: 0 = Very rare, questionable signal · 1 = < 10 cases · 2 = 10-50 cases · 3 = 50–100 cases · 4 = 100-200 cases · 5 = >200 cases

Evidence level/grade

Evidence level for cardiac adverse event(s) due to the specific drug as estimated using Hill’s (1965), Naranjo’s (1981), and Bégaud’s (1985) criteria applied to published cases. Blue digits in stars indicate: 0 = Questionable · 1 = Low · 2 = Moderate · 3 = Robust · 4 = Definite · 5 = Unquestionable, pathognomonic