Constrictive pericarditis

Abstract

The scarring and loss of elasticity in post-acute pericarditis results in constrictive pericarditis. Most common cause of constrictive pericarditis remains idiopathic. Constrictive pericarditis accounts for mortality of 7.3% in patients treated surgically with pericardiectomy and 6.8% with in patients who are managed medically. With the emergence of new viruses and the increased prevalence of chronic and autoimmune illnesses, the causes of constrictive pericarditis keeps growing. Early diagnosis and interventions to prevent the occurrence of acute pericarditis are essential to reduce the morbidity arising from constrictive pericarditis such as pain, heart failure, tamponade, and arrhythmia.