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Constrictive pericarditis in children
Insights
Constrictive pericarditis (CP) is rare in children but requires high suspicion for diagnosis. Early recognition and surgical treatment are crucial for favorable outcomes in pediatric CP cases.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Constrictive pericarditis (CP) is a rare condition in children.
- CP presents with chronic or acute forms, often following effusive pericarditis.
- Diagnosis can be challenging, especially in children with ascites or failure to thrive.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review clinical findings, causes, and hemodynamics of constrictive pericarditis in children.
- To emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and intervention for pediatric CP.
- To highlight diagnostic challenges and key indicators for constrictive pericarditis in pediatric patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective case series analysis.
- Review of clinical presentations, diagnostic workup, and treatment outcomes.
- Analysis of hemodynamic findings in five pediatric patients with CP over 12 years.
Main Results:
- Five cases of constrictive pericarditis were identified over a 12-year period.
- Two variants observed: chronic (unknown cause) and acute (post-effusive pericarditis).
- Ascites and failure to thrive in children warrant suspicion for CP.
Conclusions:
- Constrictive pericarditis, though rare in childhood, demands a high index of suspicion.
- Prompt diagnosis and surgical intervention are essential for effective management of pediatric CP.
- Early recognition improves outcomes in children with constrictive pericarditis.
Abstract:
We observed five cases of constrictive pericarditis (CP) during a 12-year period, and studied the clinical findings, usual causes, and hemodynamic findings. There are two variants of CP: a chronic form, which is usually of unknown cause, and a rapidly developing form, which follows an attack of effusive pericarditis. A high index of suspicion is necessary to establish the diagnosis of CP both in children with a prolonged course of ascites and failure to thrive and in children with effusive, usually purulent, pericarditis. Although CP is rare in childhood, it should be easily recognized and curative surgical therapy should be rapidly initiated.