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Heavily thickened pericardium with constrictive pericarditis
Abid Hussain Laghari1, Javed Majid Tai
1Section of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi.
JPMA. the Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association
|June 14, 2013
Summary
Constrictive pericarditis, a heart condition causing fluid buildup, can be effectively treated with pericardiectomy. This surgical procedure removes the inflamed pericardium, relieving symptoms and restoring normal heart function.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiac Surgery
Background:
- Constrictive pericarditis is a serious condition characterized by impaired diastolic filling of the heart due to pericardial thickening and restriction.
- Symptoms include dyspnea, edema, and elevated jugular venous pressure, often mimicking heart failure.
Observation:
- A middle-aged male presented with exertional dyspnea and leg swelling.
- Clinical examination revealed signs of fluid overload including elevated JVP, pedal edema, pleural effusions, and hepatomegaly.
- Cardiac imaging, including echocardiography and CT, confirmed heavily thickened pericardium indicative of constrictive pericarditis.
Findings:
- Echocardiography demonstrated significant pericardial thickening and diastolic dysfunction consistent with constriction.
- Cardiac CT provided detailed anatomical information of the thickened pericardium.
- Surgical pericardiectomy was performed to relieve the pericardial restriction.
Implications:
- Pericardiectomy successfully reversed the echocardiographic features of constriction.
- The patient experienced complete symptom resolution and became asymptomatic post-surgery.
- This case highlights the efficacy of pericardiectomy in managing symptomatic constrictive pericarditis.
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