Constrictive Pericarditis

Your Path

  • Constrictive Pericarditis

Etiology

  • Pericarditis for any reason that leads to scarring and loss of pericardial elasticity, which causes pericardium to limit filling of the ventricles
  • Infection: coxsackie, influenza, bacterial, TB, HIV, acute rheumatic fever, other
  • Autoimmune: RA, lupus, scerloderma, other
  • Post-MI, idiopathic
  • Trauma, post-surgeical
  • Post-radiation, cancer
  • Meds: hydralazine, procainamide, other
  • Metabolic: uremia, hypothyroidism

Symptoms

  • Chronic/progressive sob, doe
  • Other CHF-type sx: pnd, leg edema
  • Abdominal swelling
  • Feeling poorly in general

Physical Exam Findings

  • Elevated jvp
  • Ascites
  • Jvp rises w/inspiration (Kussmaul's sign)
  • Pericardial knock (high pitched sound after S2)
  • Lower extremity edema

Tests

Links