[Pyopericardium followed by acute progression of constrictive pericarditis]

A 65-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for treatment of pyopericardium and cardiac tamponade. Despite aggressive therapy that included pericardiaocentesis, drainage of pericardial effusion, and prolonged intravenous antibiotic therapy, constrictive pericarditis developed 2 weeks after an initial episode of pyopericardium. Pericardiectomy and omentopexy were performed, resulting in complete relief of the patient's symptoms and no recurrence of infection. The possibility of constrictive pericarditis should be kept in mind for the surveillance of the patients with pyopericardium and appropriate measures for pericardial drainage should be undertaken to prevent pericardial constriction.