Constrictive Pericarditis

Cardiology

Rigid pericardium limits diastolic filling.

Causes

  • Post-viral, post-cardiac surgery, TB, radiation, uraemia

Clinical features

  • Right-sided HF signs: raised JVP, ascites, oedema
  • Kussmaul sign, pericardial knock

Investigations

  • Echo (septal bounce, respiratory variation)
  • Cardiac MRI (pericardial thickening/fibrosis)
  • Cardiac catheterisation (equalisation of diastolic pressures)

Management

  • Diuretics for symptoms
  • Pericardiectomy definitive

Educational — verify locally.

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