Obstructing Pericarditis

The symptoms and signs of concretio cordis as a type of obstructing pericarditis were clearly described by Volhard and Schmieden 1 in 1923. They measured the venous pressure and found that it was elevated. Beck and Griswold 2 in 1930 were able to produce in dogs constricting pericardial scars associated with an elevated venous pressure, a diminished cardiac output, a small pulse and edema. Resection of these scars was followed by a fall in the venous pressure, a rise in the cardiac output and a diminution in the edema. Burwell and Strayhorn 3 in 1932 reported quantitative studies of the circulation in a young man subsequently proved to have concretio cordis. He exhibited a high venous pressure, a small pulse pressure and a diminished cardiac output per minute and per beat. Exercise was associated with an increase in the arteriovenous oxygen difference; but no increase occurred in the output per