Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 2, 2026
12:03
Myocardial Infarction and Functional Outcome Assessment in Pigs
Published on: April 25, 2014
Constrictive pericarditis after myocardial infarction
British Heart Journal
|November 1, 1986
Insights
Constrictive pericarditis can rarely develop years after myocardial infarction, even without prior bleeding complications. Surgical pericardiectomy offers a successful treatment for this rare cardiac condition.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiac Surgery
Background:
- Myocardial infarction (MI) is a leading cause of heart disease.
- Pericarditis, inflammation of the heart's outer lining, can complicate MI.
- Constrictive pericarditis is a rare but serious long-term complication.
Observation:
- A 55-year-old male developed constrictive pericarditis two years post-transmural myocardial infarction.
- The patient had a history of severe acute pericarditis following the MI.
- No evidence of anticoagulant-induced hemopericardium was noted.
Findings:
- Constrictive pericarditis occurred as a late sequela of myocardial infarction.
- This case highlights a rare complication not necessarily linked to bleeding.
- Successful surgical intervention with pericardiectomy was achieved.
Implications:
- Constrictive pericarditis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of late MI complications.
- Further research may elucidate the specific mechanisms of this rare association.
- Pericardiectomy remains an effective treatment for symptomatic constrictive pericarditis.
Abstract:
Constrictive pericarditis developed in a 55 year old man two years after transmural myocardial infarction complicated by severe acute pericarditis. Pericardiectomy was successful. Although this very rare late complication of myocardial infarction has been reported as a sequela of frank anticoagulant induced haemopericardium, in this case there was no clinical evidence of such an association.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Myocarditis I: Introduction
Myocarditis is inflammation of the myocardium, which is the muscular layer of the heart.EtiologyMyocarditis has a diverse etiology, including a wide range of infectious and non-infectious causes:Infectious CausesViral: Common viruses include Coxsackie A and B, adenovirus, parvovirus B19, enteroviruses, and influenza A.Bacterial: Examples include infections caused by Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and Mycoplasma species.Rickettsial: Infections like Rocky Mountain spotted fever can result in...
01:14Myocarditis III: Medical Management
Myocarditis: Comprehensive Medical ManagementMyocarditis, the heart muscle inflammation, requires a comprehensive medical management strategy that addresses the underlying cause, provides supportive care, manages symptoms, and reduces cardiac workload.Infections and Autoimmune CausesAdminister appropriate antimicrobial therapy when an infectious agent causes myocarditis. For instance, penicillin treats infections caused by Group A Streptococcus. In cases where autoimmune processes are...
01:22Pericarditis I: Introduction
Pericarditis is defined as the inflammation of the pericardium, the thin, sac-like membrane surrounding the heart. This condition can cause significant chest pain and other symptoms, often necessitating medical intervention. The pericardium has two layers: the inner visceral layer and the outer parietal layer, separated by a small amount of fluid that reduces friction during heartbeats.Types of PericarditisPericarditis can be classified into several types based on the duration and nature of the...
01:19Pericarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests
Pericarditis is distinguished by inflammation of the pericardium, the fibrous sac that encases the heart. It can be acute, lasting less than six weeks, or chronic, persisting for over three months. Understanding its clinical manifestations and diagnostic findings is crucial for timely and effective management.Clinical ManifestationsWhile pericarditis can be asymptomatic, it usually presents with characteristic symptoms such as:Chest Pain: The most characteristic symptom of pericarditis is chest...
01:17Pericarditis III: Medical Management
The primary objectives of managing pericarditis are to determine the underlying cause, provide effective therapy for treatment and symptom relief, and promptly detect signs and symptoms of cardiac tamponade. The following outlines the essential aspects of medical management for pericarditis:ObjectivesDetermine the Cause: Identifying the underlying cause of pericarditis is crucial for targeted treatment. Causes include viral infections, autoimmune diseases, post-cardiac injury syndrome, and...
01:29Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy
Restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) is a rare heart muscle disease characterized by impaired ventricular filling due to stiffened ventricular walls, leading to significant diastolic dysfunction.EtiologyRestrictive cardiomyopathy can arise from both inherited and acquired diseases, many of which are systemic. It is categorized into four main types: infiltrative, storage, non-infiltrative, and endomyocardial diseases.Infiltrative diseases, such as amyloidosis, lead to RCM by depositing amyloid...