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[Surgery of infectious pericarditis]
U Niederhäuser1, L K von Segesser, T Carrel
1Klinik für Herz- und Gefässchirurgie, Universitätsspital Zürich.
Helvetica Chirurgica Acta
|January 1, 1992
Summary
Pericardectomy (Pe.) is a safe and effective treatment for infectious pericarditis (P.), significantly improving cardiac function and survival rates. Early surgical intervention is recommended for purulent or constrictive pericarditis to prevent irreversible heart damage.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Thoracic Surgery
Context:
- Infectious pericarditis (P.) can lead to chronic constrictive pericarditis, a serious condition affecting cardiac function.
- Surgical intervention, specifically pericardectomy (Pe.), is a treatment option for severe cases.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the safety and long-term efficacy of pericardectomy (Pe.) for infectious pericarditis (P.).
Summary:
- A retrospective study of 34 patients undergoing pericardectomy (Pe.) for infectious pericarditis (P.) between 1980 and 1990.
- The procedure demonstrated low mortality (8.8%) and excellent long-term outcomes, with significant improvement in NYHA class (from 3.0 to 1.3).
- Actuarial survival rates were high (90% at 5 and 10 years), with a low recurrence rate of pericarditis or constriction after total Pe.
Impact:
- Pericardectomy (Pe.) is confirmed as a safe and effective treatment for infectious pericarditis (P.), offering substantial improvement in cardiac function and patient survival.
- Early surgical intervention for purulent or constrictive pericarditis is crucial, as conservative management is ineffective for progressive myocardial constriction.
- Total pericardectomy (Pe.) leads to a low incidence of recurrent pericarditis or constriction.