[Peracute constrictive, idiopathic pericarditis--a case report of an acute life-threatening disease picture]

Generally, idiopathic pericarditis is considered a benign, self-limiting disease. Frequently, the exsudative phase of the disease is followed by a mild form of transitory constriction of the pericardium. The case reported here shows an unusual course of the disease. Shortly after the symptoms of exsudative pericarditis subsided a life-threatening form of pericardial constriction developed within weeks. In case of chronic pericardial constriction perioperative mortality for partial pericardiectomy is not insignificant. This is a result of myocardial damage that is difficult to assess prior to surgery. For that reason a partial pericardiectomy should be attempted as early as possible, even in cases with acute pericardial constriction.