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Transient constrictive pericarditis: causes and natural history
John H Haley1, A Jamil Tajik, Gordon K Danielson
1Division of Cardiovascular Diseases and Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA. haley.john@mayo.edu
Journal of the American College of Cardiology
|January 23, 2004
Summary
Transient constrictive pericarditis (CP) can resolve with medical therapy alone in some patients. This study investigated the causes and natural history of this condition, finding resolution occurs without surgery in a subset of cases.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Internal Medicine
- Medical Research
Background:
- Transient constrictive pericarditis (CP) is characterized by the resolution of symptoms and constrictive hemodynamics with medical therapy alone.
- Limited large-scale studies exist on the causes and natural history of transient CP.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the causes and natural history of transient constrictive pericarditis (CP).
- To understand the clinical course and resolution patterns of CP managed non-surgically.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective review of 212 patients with echocardiographic findings of CP from 1988-1999 at Mayo Clinic.
- Analysis of demographic, clinical, and echocardiographic data, including follow-up echocardiograms in 36 patients showing resolution of constrictive hemodynamics.
Main Results:
- The most common cause of CP was prior cardiovascular surgery (25%).
- In a subset of 22 patients, constrictive features resolved spontaneously at an average of 8.3 weeks post-diagnosis.
- The average age of patients was 49 years, with 72% being male.
Conclusions:
- A significant subset of patients with constrictive pericarditis experience resolution without the need for pericardiectomy.
- Transient CP is a recognized entity that can resolve with conservative management.