Complete resolution of constrictive pericarditis after coronary bypass surgery

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Cardiac Surgery
• Pericardial Diseases

Background:

• Constrictive pericarditis (CP) is an uncommon complication following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).
• CP can manifest in transient, progressive, or fixed forms, impacting cardiac function.
• While progressive forms may necessitate pericardiectomy, a transient variant can be managed medically.

Observation:

• A 65-year-old male patient developed early-onset constrictive pericarditis within two weeks post-CABG.
• This presentation was attributed to post-cardiac injury syndrome.
• The patient exhibited classical symptoms of constrictive pericarditis.

Findings:

• The patient's transient constrictive pericarditis was diagnosed early.
• Complete recovery was achieved through medical management.
• This case highlights the potential for successful non-surgical treatment of early CP post-CABG.

Implications:

• Early identification of transient constrictive pericarditis post-CABG is crucial.
• Medical therapy can be effective for early-onset, transient CP.
• This approach may help avoid invasive procedures like pericardiectomy.