Chronic Effusive Pericarditis and Chronic Constrictive Pericarditis

• Main Author: C. Richard Conti, MD
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Compuscript 2020-07-01
• Series: Cardiovascular Innovations and Applications
• Subjects: chronic constrictive pericarditis; chronic effusive pericarditis; pericarditis; surgical treatment
• Online Access: https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/cscript/cvia/2020/00000004/00000004/art00008

Chronic Pericarditis is inflammation that begins gradually, is long lasting and results in fluid accumulation in the pericardial space or thickening of the pericardium. The etiology is unknown but may be cancer, TB or hypothyroidism. Arrhythmias are common and seen in almost half the patients. The commonest arrhythmia is atrial fibrillation. Symptoms and signs are related to increased right atrial pressure and physical findings include elevated JVP and pericardial knock. Non surgical therapy consists mainly of no salt. Surgery cures about 85% of patients, however 5–15% of patients will die. Chronic effusive pericarditis occurs when there is persistent restriction of the visceral pericardium after pericardiocentesis.