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Published on: February 11, 2022
Degos disease complicated by constrictive pericarditis in remote phase: a case report
Yuki Tadokoro1, Tadashi Kitamura2, Tetsuya Horai2
1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Kitasato University School of Medicine, 1-15-1 Kitasato, Minami, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, 252-0374, Japan. ss598yaeshio@gmail.com.
Insights
Degos disease can lead to long-term constrictive pericarditis (CP). Aspirin helped manage the disease, but surgery was needed for heart failure unresponsive to treatment.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Dermatology
- Pathology
Background:
- Degos disease, a rare condition causing skin issues via thrombo-obliterative vasculopathy, can rarely manifest as late-onset constrictive pericarditis (CP).
- This case highlights CP developing 20 years after a Degos disease diagnosis.
Observation:
- A 62-year-old woman with a 20-year history of Degos disease on aspirin presented with heart failure.
- Diagnosis revealed constrictive pericarditis (CP); pericardiectomy was performed.
- Pathological results indicated Degos disease involvement.
Findings:
- Degos disease can be a long-term cause of constrictive pericarditis (CP).
- Aspirin therapy demonstrated efficacy in inhibiting Degos disease progression.
- Surgical intervention (pericardiectomy) proved necessary for refractory heart failure due to CP.
Implications:
- This case underscores the potential for Degos disease to cause chronic cardiovascular complications.
- Effective long-term management of Degos disease may involve aspirin and timely surgical consideration for CP.
- Further research into the link between Degos disease and cardiovascular complications is warranted.
Background:
Degos disease, also known as malignant atrophic papulosis, is characterised by cutaneous manifestations due to chronic thrombo-obliterative vasculopathy. There have been reports of the rare late-onset Degos disease complicated by constrictive pericarditis (CP). This study reports a case of CP caused by Degos disease that developed 20 years after diagnosis.
Case Presentation:
A 62-year-old woman who had been taking aspirin for 20 years for Degos disease was hospitalised for worsening of heart failure. The patient was diagnosed with CP and underwent pericardiectomy. Pathological findings suggested the involvement of Degos disease. The postoperative course was uneventful, and her heart failure and Degos disease did not worsen.
Conclusions:
The study findings suggests that Degos disease can cause long-term CP. Aspirin effectively inhibited the progression of Degos disease, and surgical treatment was necessary when heart failure due to CP was refractory to treatment.
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