Idiopathic Recurrent Pericarditis: Not Really So Idiopathic?

Abstract

In this issue of the Journal of the American Heart Association (JAHA), Peet1 challenges the current concept of idiopathic recurrent pericarditis (IRP). Indeed, “idiopathic” means “arising spontaneously or from an obscure or unknown cause,” which implies that the pathophysiology is not established, and the treatment should remain empirical. In 2 words, behind this learned word, we hide our ignorance.