What question did this study set out to answer?

To illustrate the presentation, diagnosis, and management of constrictive pericarditis through a detailed case report.

March 13, 2026Open Access

Picture Perfect Constrictive Pericarditis: A Case Report

Key Result

Right heart catheterization demonstrated equalized diastolic pressures with a square root sign in a patient with constrictive pericarditis.

Key Points

To illustrate the presentation, diagnosis, and management of constrictive pericarditis through a detailed case report.
Case review of a 75-year-old male with symptomatic constrictive pericarditis.
Utilized echocardiography, cardiac MRI, and right heart catheterization for diagnosis.
Medical management alongside referral for pericardiectomy.
Echocardiography indicated a septal bounce characteristic of CP.
CT scans confirmed pericardial calcification.
Right heart catheterization showed equalized diastolic pressures, indicative of impaired heart function.

Structured PICO

Population

1 patient (75-year-old male) with a recent history of pneumonia and chest pain presenting with dyspnea and edema, diagnosed with constrictive pericarditis.

Intervention

Multimodal imaging evaluation (echocardiography, CT, right heart catheterization, MRI) and medical management with referral for pericardiectomy.

Outcome

Diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis

This case report highlights the diagnostic value of multimodal imaging in identifying classic constrictive pericarditis.

Main Result

Absolute Event Rate: 0% vs 0%

Abstract

Abstract Background Constrictive pericarditis (CP) is a rare complication of acute pericarditis, caused by pericardial fibrosis and calcification that impair diastolic filling. It leads to right-sided heart failure and requires multimodal imaging for diagnosis, including echocardiography, cardiac MRI, and right heart catheterization. Case Presentation A 75-year-old male with a recent history of pneumonia and chest pain presented with dyspnea and edema. Echocardiography showed a septal bounce; CT revealed pericardial calcification; and right heart catheterization demonstrated equalized diastolic pressures with a square root sign. MRI confirmed CP. The patient was managed medically and referred for pericardiectomy. Discussion This case illustrates classic CP with hallmark clinical, imaging, and hemodynamic findings. It emphasizes the diagnostic value of multimodal evaluation and serves as a comprehensive example of this uncommon but critical condition.