Management of tuberculous pericarditis

The cases of 17 patients with tuberculous pericarditis were reviewed. Thirteen patients had effusive pericarditis, and 10 had surgical drainage of the effusion. No deaths were due to pericardial tamponade; this appears to be related to earlier recognition of major pericardial effusions by echocardiography. In 2 patients clinical evidence of pericardial constriction developed while they were on a regimen of therapy, and in another 2 patients, echocardiography revealed pericardial thickening after resolution of the effusion. A pericardial window is recommended for the short-term management of patients suspected of having tuberculous pericarditis with a major pericardial effusion by echocardiography. If a thickened pericardium is found during the window procedure, early pericardiectomy is strongly encouraged.