Constrictive Pericarditis: An Update on Noninvasive Multimodal Diagnosis

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Constrictive pericarditis (CP) is a rare condition affecting the pericardium, potentially occurring after SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination.
• CP involves pericardial noncompliance, restricting heart volume and impairing diastolic function, leading to diverse clinical presentations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the role of noninvasive multimodal imaging in the diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis.
• To detail the diagnostic findings of various imaging techniques in CP, aiding early and accurate diagnosis.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on constrictive pericarditis and diagnostic imaging modalities.
• Detailed analysis of imaging findings, including ventricular interdependence and pressure dissociation.

Main Results:

• Noninvasive multimodal imaging is central to the diagnostic workup of CP.
• Imaging provides crucial morphological and functional data for diagnosis.

Conclusions:

• Early and accurate diagnosis of CP through imaging is vital for appropriate therapy and improved patient outcomes.
• Understanding pathophysiology aids in interpreting diagnostic imaging findings for constrictive pericarditis.