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Updated: May 23, 2026

An Intact Pericardium Ischemic Rodent Model
Published on: September 2, 2021
A modern cause of an old disease. Constrictive pericarditis after percutaneous coronary intervention: a case report
Hassan A Mohamed1, Stephen Korkola
1Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Department of Surgery, Regina General Hospital,Regina, Saskatchewan.
Insights
Severe constrictive pericarditis developed four months after percutaneous coronary intervention. This rare complication, suspected to be caused by hemopericardium from coronary microperforation, required pericardiectomy.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiac Surgery
Background:
- Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a common procedure for acute coronary syndrome.
- Constrictive pericarditis is a rare but serious complication that can occur after cardiac procedures.
Observation:
- A 70-year-old patient presented with symptoms of severe constrictive pericarditis four months after PCI.
- Diagnostic imaging and cardiac catheterization confirmed the diagnosis.
- The pericardium showed significant fibrosis and thickening (approx. 6 mm).
Findings:
- Hemopericardium secondary to coronary microperforation was the suspected cause.
- This represents an unusual mid-term complication of PCI.
- The patient underwent successful pericardiectomy.
Implications:
- Clinicians should consider constrictive pericarditis in patients with relevant symptoms post-PCI.
- Coronary microperforation is a potential, albeit rare, cause of post-PCI constrictive pericarditis.
- Early diagnosis and surgical intervention can lead to satisfactory outcomes.
Abstract:
A 70-year-old patient developed severe constrictive pericarditis with exertional dyspnea, lethargy and marked peripheral edema four months after percutaneous coronary intervention for acute coronary syndrome. The diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis was confirmed by cardiac catheterization and computed tomography. Despite the short duration of the disease, the pericardium showed fibrosis and had a thickness of approximately 6 mm. The patient underwent pericardiectomy, with a satisfactory outcome. Hemopericardium due to coronary microperforation was suspected to be responsible for the development of constrictive pericarditis. This unusual mid-term complication of percutaneous coronary intervention has rarely been reported and should be suspected in this particular clinical setting.
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