CONSTRICTIVE PERICARDITIS: A DIAGNOSTIC DILEMMA

Constrictive pericarditis in the modern era: a diagnostic dilemma.

Constrictive pericarditis is caused by fibrosis and calcification of the pericardium, processes that inhibit diastolic filling of the heart. This condition has posed a diagnostic dilemma since it was first recognised clinically. Although many diagnostic approaches have become available subsequently, the diagnostic challenge remains. Because surgical intervention can provide complete relief of s...

Constrictive pericarditis. A diagnostic challenge.

Constrictive pericarditis.

A study has been made of 62 patients with constrictive pericarditis. There was considerable variation from the classical description of the disease. It is hoped that the findings may be of use, because both diagnosis and treatment can sometimes cause perplexity. The atiology and mode of onset of constrictive pericarditis will be considered first, since ,these have important effects on the final...

Recurrent constrictive pericarditis: A diagnostic and therapeutic challenge.

Recurrent right-sided heart failure after pericardiectomy may be caused by incomplete pericardiectomy, recurrent constriction, diastolic dysfunction or myocardial involvement. Identifying recurrent constrictive pericarditis (CP) in patients who have recurring symptoms after pericardiectomy is challenging, since the characteristic Doppler echocardiographic features may not be present if a portio...

Constrictive Pericarditis

T HE essential pathology of constrictive pericarditis is the partial replacement of the epicardium and superficial myocardial layers by inelastic fibrous tissue. This interferes with diastolic filling of the ventricles and is recorded during right ventricular catheterization as a high end-diastolic plateau. In addition, the encasing and infiltrating lesion interferes with contractility and ther...