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Updated: Aug 6, 2026

Myocardial Infarction and Functional Outcome Assessment in Pigs
Published on: April 25, 2014
Reversible left ventricular dysfunction simulating a myocardial infarction after pericardiectomy
D E Wood1, A J Crumbley, N L Pereira
1Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425-5799 , USA.
Insights
Post-pericardiectomy constrictive pericarditis can cause temporary left ventricular dysfunction and ECG changes due to myocardial inflammation. This condition resolved with supportive care, highlighting a potential complication of cardiac surgery.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiac Surgery
- Cardiovascular Imaging
Background:
- Constrictive pericarditis is a significant complication following pericardiectomy.
- Left ventricular systolic dysfunction can occur postoperatively.
Observation:
- A 39-year-old male developed severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction after pericardiectomy for constrictive pericarditis.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG) showed an anterior wall infarct pattern.
- Echocardiography revealed no regional wall motion abnormalities.
- Serum enzymatic tests did not confirm myocardial infarction.
Findings:
- The patient's left ventricular dysfunction and ECG abnormalities resolved within two weeks with supportive treatment.
- The transient cardiac dysfunction is hypothesized to be myocardial inflammation and edema secondary to surgical trauma.
Implications:
- This case suggests that transient left ventricular dysfunction can be a complication of pericardiectomy.
- Myocardial inflammation and edema should be considered in the differential diagnosis of postoperative cardiac dysfunction after pericardiectomy.
- Further research may elucidate the mechanisms and optimal management of this surgical complication.
Abstract:
A 39 year old man with postoperative constrictive pericarditis after pericardiectomy developed major left ventricular systolic dysfunction with an anterior wall infarct pattern on ECG but no regional wall motion abnormalities by echocardiography or serum enzymatic evidence of a myocardial infarction. The left ventricular dysfunction resolved over two weeks with supportive treatment. It is postulated that this patient's transient left ventricular dysfunction and ECG changes were caused by myocardial inflammation and oedema induced by operative trauma during pericardiectomy.
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