Constrictive pericarditis in a patient with inherited factor VII deficiency

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Hematology

Background:

• Constrictive pericarditis (CP) is a severe cardiac condition resulting from pericardial inflammation, thickening, and calcification.
• It impedes diastolic filling, leading to reduced cardiac output and heart failure.

Observation:

• A clinical case of CP is presented in a patient with a rare inherited bleeding disorder, factor VII deficiency.
• Initial suspicion of heart failure due to CP was based on clinical presentation and non-invasive imaging (ultrasound, radiology).

Findings:

• Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis.
• The patient underwent pericardectomy, a surgical procedure to remove the pericardium.

Implications:

• The successful pericardectomy resulted in significant clinical improvement, highlighting the importance of accurate diagnosis and timely intervention.
• This case underscores the potential for CP to occur in patients with rare bleeding disorders and the effectiveness of surgical management.