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Diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis obscured by hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: Back to basics
Chance M Witt1, Mackram F Eleid1, Rick A Nishimura1
1Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.
Insights
This case study highlights a patient with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and constrictive pericarditis. Classic hemodynamic signs, despite atypical modern criteria, led to successful pericardiectomy and improved heart function.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Cardiac Physiology
Background:
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and constrictive pericarditis (CP) are distinct cardiac conditions.
- Co-occurrence of HCM and CP presents diagnostic challenges.
- Right-sided congestive heart failure symptoms necessitate accurate diagnosis.
Observation:
- A 41-year-old male with HCM presented with right-sided heart failure.
- Noninvasive tests for CP were inconclusive.
- Invasive hemodynamic catheterization was performed for definitive diagnosis.
Findings:
- The patient exhibited classic hemodynamic criteria for CP, including early rapid filling and diastolic pressure equalization.
- Modern echocardiographic and invasive criteria for CP were not met due to enhanced ventricular interdependence from HCM.
- Diagnosis of CP was confirmed through classic hemodynamic findings.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering classic hemodynamic criteria in diagnosing CP, especially in complex cases.
- Accurate diagnosis of co-existing HCM and CP is crucial for appropriate treatment.
- Pericardiectomy resulted in significant clinical improvement, validating the diagnosis and intervention.
Abstract:
In this report, we describe the case of a 41-year-old man with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy presenting with right-sided congestive heart failure symptoms. Noninvasive testing was suggestive, but non-diagnostic for constrictive pericarditis (CP) and thus invasive hemodynamic catheterization was performed. The unique presence of both hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and constriction in this case led to lack of "modern" echocardiographic and invasive criteria for CP, based upon findings of enhanced ventricular dependence. However, classic hemodynamic criteria of early rapid filling with elevation and end-equalization of diastolic pressures were present, and the patient ultimately received pericardiectomy with dramatic clinical improvement.
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