[An exemplificative case of constrictive pericarditis].

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Constrictive pericarditis is a rare but fatal condition causing heart failure through pericardial fibrosis and diastolic dysfunction.
• Its insidious presentation with venous congestion, hepatomegaly, and ascites often delays diagnosis.

Observation:

• A young adult with a prior hepatic cirrhosis diagnosis presented with symptoms mimicking advanced liver disease.
• Investigations revealed constrictive pericarditis as the underlying cause.

Findings:

• The patient underwent successful pericardiectomy, alleviating venous congestion.
• Despite surgical success, the patient still required a liver transplant, indicating irreversible liver damage.

Implications:

• This case underscores the importance of considering constrictive pericarditis in patients with unexplained ascites and venous congestion, even with co-existing liver disease.
• Timely diagnosis and treatment of constrictive pericarditis are vital to prevent irreversible organ damage and improve patient outcomes.