Constrictive Pericarditis With Massive Calcification in Systemic Sclerosis Treated With Pericardiectomy: A Case

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Updated: Jul 30, 2025

Imaging Features of Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease
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Imaging Features of Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease

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Antonio Totaro1, Cosimo Sacra2, Gianluca Testa1

  • 1Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Gemelli Molise Hospital, Campobasso, Italy; Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy.

Current Problems in Cardiology
|May 16, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Calcific constrictive pericarditis, a rare systemic sclerosis complication, was successfully treated with pericardiectomy. This surgical intervention significantly improved the patient's congestive heart failure symptoms.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Rheumatology
  • Surgical Case Report

Background:

  • Systemic sclerosis is a rare cause of constrictive pericarditis.
  • Calcific constrictive pericarditis presents a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge.

Observation:

  • A 53-year-old female with limited systemic sclerosis presented with congestive heart failure.
  • Diagnosis of calcific constrictive pericarditis was confirmed.

Findings:

  • The patient underwent a pericardiectomy via median sternotomy.
  • Surgical removal of the calcified pericardium freed the heart.

Implications:

  • This case is the first report of surgically treated calcific constrictive pericarditis in systemic sclerosis.
  • Pericardiectomy offers a viable treatment option for this rare complication.
  • Significant clinical improvement was observed three months post-surgery.

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