Constrictive pericarditis as a cause of refractory ascites after liver transplantation: A case report

Refractory ascites is a rare complication following orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). The broad spectrum of differential diagnosis often leads to delay in diagnosis. Therapy depends on recognition and treatment of the underlying cause. Constrictive pericarditis is a condition characterized by clinical signs of right-sided heart failure. In the advanced stages of the disease, hepatic congestion leads to formation of ascites. In patients after OLT, cardiac etiology of ascites is easily overlooked and it requires a high degree of clinical suspicion.

We report a case of a 55-year-old man who presented with a refractory ascites three months after liver transplantation for alcoholic cirrhosis. Prior to transplantation the patient had a minimal amount of ascites. The transplant procedure and the early postoperative course were uneventful. Standard post-transplant work up failed to reveal any typical cause of refractory post-transplant ascites. The function of the graft was good. Apart from atrial fibrillation, cardiac status was normal. Eighteen months post transplantation the patient developed dyspnea and severe fatigue with peripheral edema. Ascites was still prominent. The presenting signs of right-sided heart failure were highly suggestive of cardiac etiology. Diagnostic paracentesis was suggestive of cardiac ascites, and further cardiac evaluation showed typical signs of constrictive pericarditis. Pericardiectomy was performed followed by complete resolution of ascites. On the follow-up the patient remained symptom-free with no signs of recurrent ascites and with normal function of the liver graft.

Refractory ascites following liver transplantation is a rare complication with many possible causes. Broad differential diagnosis needs to be considered.