Abstract

ARCEO-NAVARRO, Adalberto et al. Effusive-constrictive pericarditis: a review. Rev. Mex. Cardiol [online]. 2015, vol.26, n.3, pp.140-148. ISSN 0188-2198.

Background: Effusive-constrictive pericarditis is an uncommon clinical hemodynamic syndrome in which constriction of the heart by the visceral pericardium occurs in the presence of tense effusion in a free pericardial space. This variety of constrictive pericarditis was observed and characterized by Hancock in 1971. The hallmark of effusive-constrictive pericarditis is the persistence of elevated right atrial pressure after intrapericardial pressure has been reduced to normal levels by removal of pericardial fluid. The causes are diverse and its course may be reversible or more frequently requiring extensive pericardiectomy. Clinical case: 35 year old male without an important medical history, with dyspnea and chest pain secondary to airway infection, in whom a diagnosis of pericardial effusion was made, handled with colchicine and NSAIDs, he presented decreased of pericardial effusion but worsening hemodynamic alterations corroborated by echocardiography. Diagnosed as an effusive-constrictive pericarditis a pericardiectomy was performed with excellent evolution. After multiple diagnostic tests the disease was catalogued like an idiopathic form. Conclusions: Effusive-constrictive pericarditis is a rare syndrome and it should be considered in the evolution of patients with pericardial effusion.

Keywords : Effusive-constrictive pericarditis.

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