PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “PERICARDITIS, CONSTRICTIVE”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 361 records · Page 20Linked to original sources

Calcific constrictive pericarditis: is it still with us?

BACKGROUND: The presence of pericardial calcification on a plain radiograph strongly suggests constrictive pericarditis in patients with heart failure. However, calcific constrictive pericarditis is considered rare in the United States since tuberculosis incidence has decreased, and doubt has therefore been raised about the importance of this radiologic finding in modern cardiovascular practice. OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical and prognostic significance of pericardial calcification on radiography in patients with constrictive pericarditis. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: A consecutive series of 135 patients (mean age +/- SD, 56 +/- 16 years) who from 1985 through 1995 had constrictive pericarditis confirmed surgically (n = 133) or by autopsy (n = 2). Patients were divided into two groups: those with pericardial calcification on chest radiography (group I) and those without (group II). MEASUREMENTS: Clinical and diagnostic findings were compared in both groups, and outcome was compared in 132 patients who had pericardiectomy. RESULTS: Pericardial calcification was seen in 36 patients (27%). The cause of constrictive pericardial disease was indeterminate in 67% of patients in group I and in 21% of patients in group II (P < 0.001). Patients in group I had had symptoms for a longer period and were more likely to have pericardial knock, larger atrial size, and atrial arrhythmia. Significantly more perioperative deaths were seen in group I, but incidence of late survival and incidence of noncalcific disease were similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Pericardial calcification is a common finding in patients with constrictive pericarditis. It is often associated with idiopathic disease and other markers of disease chronicity and is an independent predictor of increased perioperative mortality rates.

Adolescent↗

[Two cases of tuberculous constrictive pericarditis].

Case 1 was a 79-year-old male suspected of tuberculous constrictive pericarditis. He was admitted to our hospital because of surgical treatment. His heart failure was NYHA IV. Culture of pleural effusion and pericardial effusion was negative. But ADA level in pericardial effusion was found to be increased. So tuberculosis was suspected. Cardiac catheterization date was compatible with constrictive pericarditis. Case 2 was a 73-year-old female. She was admitted because of heart failure (NYHA IV). As RVP wave indicated dip & platou at cardiac catheterization, she was diagnosed as constrictive pericarditis. ADA level in pleural effusion increased. So tuberculosis was suspected as etiology of constrictive pericarditis. In both cases, after pericardiectomy, heart failure improved to NYHA I. Results of pathological examination were tuberculous inflammation.

Aged↗

[An operative case of chronic constrictive pericarditis with silicosis and lumbar caries].

We reported a case of chronic constrictive pericarditis complicated with silicosis and lumbar caries, who was improved by the operation. The patient was a 65 year old man whose past occupation was a mason. He was admitted to our hospital with chronic heart failure on March, 1986. Atypical silicosis was diagnosed from the occupational history and the histopathological silicotic changes in mediastinal lymph nodes and fibrosis of alveolar wall. The diagnosis of chronic constrictive pericarditis was made from chest roentgenogram and intracardiac catheterization. The symptoms of chronic constrictive pericarditis was improved by the pericardial resection. The exact pathogenesis of the chronic constrictive pericarditis could not be identified from the histology of pericardial tissue, but tuberculosis was suspected because of the past history of tuberculous pleurisy and the recurrence of lumbar caries.

Aged↗

[Chronic constrictive pericarditis in African children: report of a case].

The chronic constrictive pericarditis is a rare affection, with multiple etiologies and concerning especially the adult. We report a case of chronic constrictive pericarditis in an African child in whom no etiology was found. A review of the literature raises the characteristics of chronic constrictive pericarditis for a better therapeutic management.

Africa, Eastern↗

M-mode echocardiography in constrictive pericarditis.

M-mode echocardiograms from 40 patients with proven constrictive pericarditis and 40 subjects without evidence of cardiac disease were reviewed for features previously described in constrictive pericarditis. In this large series, no single feature of the M-mode echocardiogram could be considered diagnostic, although a pattern of normal left ventricular size and systolic function, mild left atrial dilation, flattened diastolic left ventricular posterior wall motion and abnormal septal motion was found in most patients. It is concluded that the M-mode echocardiogram can provide findings suggestive of constrictive pericarditis but must be used in conjunction with hemodynamic and other studies to establish the diagnosis.

Echocardiography↗

Atrial systolic notch on the interventricular septal echogram: an echocardiographic sign of constrictive pericarditis.

Interventricular septal motion during ventricular diastole was analyzed using M-mode echocardiography in 13 patients with constrictive pericarditis and 12 patients with restrictive cardiomyopathy. In seven of eight patients with constrictive pericarditis in sinus rhythm, an abnormal "atrial systolic" notch was observed consisting of abrupt initial posterior motion toward the left ventricle approximately at the middle of the P wave and subsequent anterior motion at the end of the P wave and termination before the R wave. This notch was absent during atrial premature beats that were recorded in two patients. The atrial systolic notch was not observed in any patient with restrictive cardiomyopathy. The septal notch in early ventricular diastole previously described in constrictive pericarditis was seen in 62% of patients with constrictive pericarditis and 25% of patients with restrictive cardiomyopathy. Thus, an abnormal atrial systolic notch may be an additional useful sign to differentiate constrictive pericarditis from restrictive cardiomyopathy. The mechanism may be related to transient late diastolic pressure gradients between both ventricles resulting from asynchrony of left and right atrial contractions.

Diastole↗

Myocardial and endocardial involvement in tuberculous constrictive pericarditis: difficulty in biopsy distinction from endomyocardial fibrosis as a cause of restrictive heart disease.

Differentiation of constrictive pericarditis and endomyocardial fibrosis by the available diagnostic methods is difficult at present. With this in mind, we compared autopsy data in heart specimens from 8 patients of constrictive pericarditis of tuberculous origin and 6 patients with tropical endomyocardial fibrosis. Post-mortem endomyocardial biopsies were also performed from both the ventricles. Pericardial thickening and adhesions were present in all cases of constrictive pericarditis and in none of those with endomyocardial fibrosis. Interestingly, significant endocardial thickening was seen in four, and myonecrosis, lymphohistiocytic cellular infiltration and myofibrosis were observed in seven of the eight cases of constrictive pericarditis. This suggests that the tubercular insult to heart may result in involvement of all three layers with varying severity. The endomyocardial biopsy specimens from the affected areas revealed similar histopathological changes of endocardial thickening and focal myofibrosis with cellular infiltrates in patients with both constrictive pericarditis and endomyocardial fibrosis, making distinction of the two difficult. The hallmark of differentiation between these two clinical entities appears to be a diligent attempt at identification of the thickened pericardium.

Biopsy↗

Mitral regurgitation after pericardiectomy for constrictive pericarditis.

We report a case of constrictive pericarditis in which trace mitral valve regurgitation was detected preoperatively and temporarily worsened after a pericardiectomy was performed. The early postoperative data suggested that the increased mobility of the lateral wall, in conjunction with an increase in the left ventricular volume, might be one of the causes of the perioperative mitral valve dysfunction. The mitral valve function returned to the preoperative baseline thirteen months after the pericardiectomy.

Adult↗

Clinical manifestations and outcomes of constrictive pericarditis in children.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Constrictive pericarditis (CP) is rare in children. The purpose of this study was to define the clinical manifestations and outcomes of this disease. METHODS: From January 1985 through December 2003, 8 patients with surgically confirmed CP were enrolled. Data on clinical characteristics, disease manifestations, treatment, and outcomes were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: One patient had l-transposition of the great arteries (l-TGA); the other 7 patients had no underlying cardiovascular diseases. None of the patients had direct evidence of tuberculous infection. Age at disease onset ranged from 8 months to 13 years (median, 10 years), and the interval between symptom onset and correct diagnosis ranged from 2 to 31 months (median, 12 months). Major symptoms and signs included abdominal distension, hepatomegaly, neck vein engorgement and ascites. Evidence of calcification on chest roentgenogram was found in 1 patient (12.5%). Computed tomography or magnetic resonance image studies showed pericardial thickening in 6 patients (75%). Seven patients underwent cardiac catheterization, and all hemodynamic data met the diagnostic criteria for CP. All patients with structurally normal hearts survived during a median follow-up of 31 months after pericardiectomy (range, 5 to 103 months). The patient with l-TGA died of pneumonia 1 year after pericardiectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Symptoms and signs of right heart failure were common in children with CP. The etiology of CP remains largely unknown. Patients with structurally normal hearts have good outcomes after pericardiectomy.

Adolescent↗

Phasic coronary flow characteristics in patients with constrictive pericarditis: comparison with restrictive cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: Phasic coronary flow characteristics have been reported in patients with aortic valve disease and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The purpose of this study was to assess the differences in coronary flow characteristics between patients with constrictive pericarditis and those with restrictive cardiomyopathy. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study populations consisted of 7 case patients with constrictive pericarditis, 8 with restrictive cardiomyopathy, and 11 control subjects with chest pain and normal coronary arteries. Five minutes after injection of 3 mg of isosorbide dinitrate, phasic coronary flow velocity patterns were analyzed in the proximal segment of the angiographically normal left anterior descending coronary artery at rest using a 0.014-in, 15-MHz Doppler guidewire. Coronary flow reserve was obtained from the ratio of adenosine-induced (0.14 mg x kg(-1) x min(-1) I.V.) hyperemic/baseline time-averaged peak velocity. Although in case patients with constrictive pericarditis and restrictive cardiomyopathy maximal hyperemic time-averaged peak velocity (21+/-8 and 31+/-17 versus 60+/-19 cm/s, respectively; P<.001) and coronary flow reserve (1.3+/-0.4 and 1.6+/-0.6 versus 3.6+/-0.4, respectively, P<.001) were significantly lower than in control subjects, there were no significant differences in these indexes between the two groups of case patients. Velocity half-time of diastolic flow velocity corrected by square root(RR), which indicates deceleration of diastolic flow, in the groups of case patients with constrictive pericarditis and restrictive cardiomyopathy was significantly less than that in control subjects (6.2+/-2.6 and 10.6+/-1.5 versus 16.9+/-2.7, respectively; P<.001); this was also significantly smaller in constrictive pericarditis than restrictive cardiomyopathy (P<.001). This index <9.5 could distinguish constrictive pericarditis from restrictive cardiomyopathy with a sensitivity of 86% and a specificity of 88%. Furthermore, time from the beginning of diastole to diastolic peak velocity corrected by square root(RR) indicating acceleration of diastolic flow velocity in constrictive pericarditis was significantly less than that in restrictive cardiomyopathy and control subjects (2.8+/-1.2 versus 4.8+/-0.8 and 4.4+/-0.6, respectively; P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Although coronary flow reserve is limited in both constrictive pericarditis and restrictive cardiomyopathy because of restriction of hyperemic response, rapid acceleration and more rapid deceleration of diastolic flow velocity are more characteristic in constrictive pericarditis than in restrictive cardiomyopathy.

Adult↗

Constrictive pericarditis after myocardial revascularization: report of three cases.

Although postoperative constrictive pericarditis is rare, the diagnosis should be considered when unexplained right-sided heart failure develops after cardiac surgery. Within a 6 week interval, evidence of constrictive pericarditis developed in three patients who had recently undergone myocardial revascularization. One patient presented with biventricular failure, pericardial effusion and suspected tamponade. Severe constrictive pericarditis was demonstrated at subsequent operation. An apparent postpericardiotomy syndrome preceded evidence of right heart failure in the other two patients. Etiologic considerations include the possibility that pericardial irrigation with povidone-iodine (Betadine) solution may have contributed to subsequent fibrosis.

Cardiac Catheterization↗

[A case of recurrent constrictive pericarditis complicated with atrial septal defect].

A case of recurrent constrictive pericarditis complicated with atrial septal defect (ASD) was operated successfully at our institute. ASD was missed at the time of the first operation. The combination of ASD and constrictive pericarditis is rare and this case is the fifth reported one in Japan. Difficulty in diagnosis of ASD and operative procedure for recurrent constrictive pericarditis are described and discussed.

Heart Septal Defects, Atrial↗

Constrictive pericarditis presenting as unexplained recurrent pleural effusion: a case report.

Constrictive pericarditis may exceptionally present as pleural effusion of unknown origin and this form of presentation may cause diagnostic problems. We report a case of subacute constrictive pericarditis in which there were recurrent pleural effusion with no other signs of the disease and the initial echocardiographic study was nondiagnostic. For this reason the patient was initially considered to have primary pulmonary or pleural disease. On the basis of the subsequent development of signs of systemic congestion and the results of computed tomography, Doppler echocardiography and cardiac catheterization, which were consistent with constriction, it was concluded that the patient had constrictive pericarditis. A complete resolution of pleural effusion and signs of systemic congestion was observed following pericardiectomy.

Acute Disease↗

[Value of radionuclide ventriculography and magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis].

In suggestive clinical presentations, the diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis is confirmed by the haemodynamic findings of impaired ventricular filling (diastole). In this study of 15 patients with pure constrictive pericarditis, the diagnosis value of two non-invasive techniques little used in this indication until now was examined: radionuclide ventriculography (RV) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The RV provides a "functional" diagnosis through the analysis of global and segmental left ventricular filling whilst MRI provides anatomical details of the pericardial thickening. Diastolic dysfunction on RV presented as an increased early diastolic filling time as shown by a shortening of the interval to third filling T1/3R (p < 0.0001), an increased peak diastolic E wave velocity (p < 0.01) and early onset (p < 0.001), increased one third (FR 1/3) and mid (FR 1/2) diastolic filling fractions (p < 0.01) and of the E wave velocity to maximal systolic ejection velocity (S) ration (p < 0.01). The atrial contribution to filling in end diastole decreased (NS). Asynchronous filling, shown by dispersion of the times of onset of segmental early diastolic E peak velocities (delta tE) or of one third diastolic filling delta T1/3R, decreased. Seven patients underwent MRI. Pericardial thickening was present in all patients. The pericardium varied from 6 to 14 mm thick (normal 2.5 +/- 0.7 mm), without any systolo-diastolic variation. The thickening was seen as a dark low intensity signal, indicating the fibro-calcific character of the tissues. Sagittal and coronal views clearly demonstrated the non-uniformity of pericardial thickening.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Constrictive pericarditis in rheumatoid arthritis.

Constrictive pericarditis is an unusual complication of rheumatoid arthritis, and its development appears to be uninfluenced by second-line therapy. Five patients are described who developed the disease, with possibly two more. Medical treatment is ineffective: the treatment of choice is surgical, and the postoperative prognosis is good. The crude prevalence rate for the association is 0.64% for males and 0.06% for females.

Adult↗

Autonomic functions in restrictive cardiomyopathy and constrictive pericarditis: a comparison.

BACKGROUND: This study was undertaken to analyze autonomic functions in restrictive cardiomyopathies. Restrictive cardiomyopathies have clinical and hemodynamic similarity with chronic constrictive pericarditis. Autonomic dysfunction has been described in the latter. METHODS AND RESULTS: Autonomic function analysis has not been reported in restrictive cardiomyopathy. Six consecutive patients with restrictive cardiomyopathy were included in this study (5 men, 1 woman, mean age 35+/-5.4 years). The tests performed were designed to test the sympathetic efferent pathway, that is, by cold hand immersion and loud noise tests, parasympathetic efferent pathway by Valsalva ratio and expiration/inspiration ratio and the baroreceptor function by testing their sensitivity slope. The results were compared with 20 patients with chronic constrictive pericarditis and with 10 healthy age- and sex-matched control subjects previously studied. The rise of systolic blood pressure after cold hand immersion and sudden loud noise was not significantly different compared with control subjects. The expiration/inspiration ratio was 1.1+/-0.01 compared with 1.57+/-0.1 in the control group (p < 0.01). The Valsalva ratio was significantly lower (1.1+/-0.04) compared with control subjects (1.83+/-0.1, p < 0.01). The baroreceptor sensitivity was not reduced compared with that in control subjects. In comparison to constrictive pericarditis, sympathetic efferent pathway is preserved in restrictive cardiomyopathy (p < 0.0001). The parasympathetic efferent pathway is borderline abnormal in restrictive cardiomyopathy but not significantly as compared with constrictive pericarditis (p=not significant). The baroreceptor sensitivity slope is normal in patients with restrictive cardiomyopathy as compared with significant depression seen in constrictive pericarditis (p < 0.05). Autonomic functions are better preserved in patients with restrictive cardiomyopathies compared with chronic constrictive pericarditis. CONCLUSIONS: Autonomic dysfunction is localized to parasympathetic efferent pathway. This is in comparison to constrictive pericarditis, in which severe autonomic dysfunction is a universal feature and includes all segments of autonomic nervous system.

Adolescent↗

Surgical treatment of constrictive pericarditis: analysis of outcome and diagnostic error.

The records of 81 patients with a diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis who underwent surgical treatment were examined to assess the effectiveness of diagnosis and therapy. A false-positive diagnosis occurred in 10 patients (12%); seven had restrictive cardiomyopathy. Of 51 variables examined, only a low right ventricular end-diastolic pressure (RVEDP) significantly and independently predicted diagnostic error. Seventy-one patients with constrictive pericarditis underwent pericardiectomy. Mean follow-up was 4.7 years (maximum 12), and only two patients were untraceable. The study population was notable: 42 patients had visceral as well as parietal pericardial involvement; 32 had idiopathic disease and 25 had pericarditis related to radiation therapy. Results were favorable in 83% of the population. There were seven in-hospital deaths (10%). Actuarial survival estimates were 74% and 64% at 5 and 10 years, respectively. Compared with a normal population, the survival rate of patients with postradiation constrictive pericarditis was significantly inferior, whereas the survival rate of the remaining patients was not significantly different. Patients with constrictive pericarditis and restrictive cardiomyopathy did no better than those with restrictive cardiomyopathy alone. Additionally, patients in NYHA functional class IV had a significantly worse prognosis. Multivariate analysis of 38 preoperative variables identified high RVEDP as a significant independent predictor of in-hospital death, and renal dysfunction and diuretic use were significant independent predictors of overall poor outcome. Differentiation between the diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis and restrictive cardiomyopathy remains a problem. Radiation therapy, pericarditis with restrictive cardiomyopathy, high RVEDP, NYHA class IV status, renal dysfunction, and diuretic use adversely influenced outcome in patients undergoing pericardiectomy.

Actuarial Analysis↗

Differentiation of constrictive pericarditis from restrictive cardiomyopathy by Doppler transesophageal echocardiographic measurements of respiratory variations in pulmonary venous flow.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to test the utility of measuring respiratory variation in pulmonary venous flow by transesophageal echocardiography. BACKGROUND: Respiratory variation of atrioventricular and central venous flow velocities by Doppler echocardiography has been used to differentiate constrictive pericarditis from restrictive cardiomyopathy. METHODS: We performed pulsed wave Doppler transesophageal echocardiography of the left or right pulmonary veins in 31 patients with diastolic dysfunction. Fourteen patients had constrictive pericarditis, and 17 had restrictive cardiomyopathy. We measured the pulmonary venous peak systolic and diastolic flow velocities and the systolic/diastolic flow ratio with transesophageal echocardiography during expiration and inspiration. The percent change in Doppler flow velocity from expiration to inspiration (%E) was calculated. RESULTS: Pulmonary venous peak systolic flow in both inspiration and expiration was greater in constrictive pericarditis than in restrictive cardiomyopathy. The %E for peak systolic flow tended to be higher in constrictive pericarditis (19% vs. 10%, p = 0.09). In contrast, pulmonary venous peak diastolic flow during inspiration was lower in constrictive pericarditis than in restrictive cardiomyopathy. The %E for peak diastolic flow was larger in constrictive pericarditis (29% vs. 16%, p = 0.008). The pulmonary venous systolic/diastolic flow ratio was greater in constrictive pericarditis in both inspiration and expiration. The combination of pulmonary venous systolic/diastolic flow ratio > or = 0.65 in inspiration and a %E for peak diastolic flow > or = 40% correctly classified 86% of patients with constrictive pericarditis. CONCLUSIONS: The relatively larger pulmonary venous systolic/diastolic flow ratio and greater respiratory variation in pulmonary venous systolic, and especially diastolic, flow velocities by transesophageal echocardiography can be useful signs in distinguishing constrictive pericarditis from restrictive cardiomyopathy.

Blood Flow Velocity↗