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Published on: August 18, 2016
Symptomatic pericardial constriction without active pericarditis
Kevin Steel1, Steven J Duming, Chad DeMott
1Department of Internal Medicine, Wright-Patterson Medical Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH 45433-5529, USA.
Abstract:
The decision to undergo pericardectomy for symptomatic pericardial constriction is usually dictated by an image of an abnormal pericardium. We report a case of symptomatic pericardial constriction despite radiographic and pathological evidence of a normal pericardium. The patient was successfully treated with a pericardectomy, with resolution of constrictive hemodynamics and symptoms. Our report suggests that a normal pericardium by computed tomography and biopsy should not preclude pericardectomy for patients who have refractory symptoms, physical findings, and intracardiac pressures diagnostic of constrictive pericarditis.
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