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Pericardial disease in rheumatoid arthritis
The American Journal of Medicine
|March 1, 1979
Summary
Rheumatoid constrictive pericarditis is a rare complication of rheumatoid arthritis. Early diagnosis through physical exam and cardiac catheterization is key, with successful surgical outcomes via pericardiectomy.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Rheumatology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can present with diverse systemic manifestations.
- Constrictive pericarditis is a potential, though uncommon, cardiac complication of RA.
Observation:
- Six male patients with rheumatoid constrictive pericarditis were identified.
- All presented with active rheumatoid arthritis and positive rheumatoid factor.
- Unexplained signs of right heart failure prompted further investigation.
Findings:
- Diagnosis was suspected via physical examination and confirmed by cardiac catheterization in five cases.
- Pericardiectomy was performed in five patients, achieving successful outcomes.
- This highlights the importance of considering pericardial involvement in RA patients.
Implications:
- Rheumatoid constrictive pericarditis requires heightened clinical suspicion in RA patients with right heart failure symptoms.
- Timely diagnosis and surgical intervention (pericardiectomy) can lead to favorable prognoses.
- Further research into the pathogenesis and early detection of RA-associated cardiac complications is warranted.