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Updated: Jun 24, 2026
08:56
Sterile Pericarditis in Aachener Minipigs As a Model for Atrial Myopathy and Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: September 24, 2021
Surgical treatment for incessant pericarditis
S S Hota1, C M Chow, D Bonneau
1Terrence Donnelly Heart Centre, St Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
The Canadian Journal of Cardiology
|March 13, 2009
Summary
Surgical pericardectomy offers a successful treatment for chronic relapsing pericarditis when medical therapies fail. This intervention provides complete symptom resolution, particularly for incessant cases with recurrent pericardial effusion.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Thoracic Surgery
Background:
- Chronic relapsing pericarditis presents a therapeutic challenge.
- Medical management often proves insufficient for persistent symptoms.
Observation:
- A patient with chronic relapsing pericarditis refractory to all medical treatments was observed.
- The patient experienced incessant pericarditis with recurrent pericardial effusion.
Findings:
- Pericardectomy was performed as a final treatment option.
- Surgical removal of the pericardium led to complete resolution of symptoms.
Implications:
- Pericardectomy is a viable and effective treatment for refractory chronic relapsing pericarditis.
- Surgical intervention may be particularly beneficial for incessant pericarditis with significant effusion.
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