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Milk of Calcium Causing a Case of Calcific Pericardial Effusion

Justin N Durland1, Ethan D Joseph1, Lucas J Witer2

  • 1Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA.

JACC. Case Reports
|January 11, 2024
PubMed

Insights

A rare case of "milk of calcium" pericardial effusion causing heart failure was successfully treated with pericardiectomy. This surgical intervention led to favorable patient outcomes at one year.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Cardiac Surgery
  • Pericardial Diseases

Background:

  • Constrictive physiology can arise from pericardial effusion.
  • "Milk of calcium" pericardial effusion is an uncommon condition.
  • Calcific pericardial effusion with constrictive pathology is rarely reported.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report a case of "milk of calcium" pericardial effusion with constrictive physiology.
  • To highlight the successful surgical management of this rare condition.
  • To contribute to the limited literature on calcific pericardial effusion.

Main Methods:

  • A 60-year-old male patient presented with symptoms of heart failure.
  • Diagnostic imaging revealed a calcified pericardial effusion consistent with "milk of calcium" and constrictive physiology.
  • The patient underwent a pericardiectomy.

Main Results:

  • The patient experienced favorable outcomes following the pericardiectomy.
  • One-year follow-up confirmed the positive results of the surgical intervention.
  • The "milk of calcium" effusion was effectively managed.

Conclusions:

  • Pericardiectomy can be an effective treatment for "milk of calcium" pericardial effusion causing constrictive physiology.
  • This case underscores the importance of considering rare etiologies in heart failure.
  • Further case reports are needed to better understand this condition.

Keywords:
computed tomographyconstrictive-effusive pericarditisechocardiographyheart catheterizationpressure curve

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