Pericardial constriction: diagnosis and management

Hosp Med. 2002 Feb;63(2):72-9. doi: 10.12968/hosp.2002.63.2.2083.

Abstract

The diagnosis of pericardial constriction is challenging and elusive. It is a postinflammatory condition that occurs when a thickened, fibrotic, scarred and sometimes calcified pericardium firmly encases the cardiac chambers and restricts filling of the heart, causing venous overload and diminished cardiac output. This review includes the diagnosis and management of this condition.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy / methods
  • Cardiac Catheterization / methods
  • Constriction, Pathologic
  • Echocardiography / methods
  • Electrocardiography / methods
  • Female
  • Heart Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Heart Diseases / etiology
  • Heart Diseases / surgery
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pericardium*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods