Pericardiectomy and Pleuropericardial Fenestration for Hemorrhagic Pericarditis -a Report of Three Cases-

The authors recently experienced three cases of hemorrhagic pericarditis. The first was a 27-year-old male with the complaint of cough and chest oppression who was referred to our department for pericardiectomy and pleuropericardial fenestration. He was pathohistologically diagnosed as chronic pericarditis at surgery and gained temporary remission postoperatively. The real diagnosis of malignant lymphoma was made by biopsy of the cervical lymph node, and he died one year and nine months following surgery. The second patient was a 21-year-old male with the complaint of cough and exertional dyspnea who underwent pericardiectomy and pleuropericardial fenestration with temporary remission. He was pathohistologically diagnosed as having chronic pericarditis. He received a second look operation 40 days following surgery because of recurrence of massive pleural effusion and was diagnosed as having malignant schwannoma of the heart. He died six months following surgery. The third patient was a 28-year-old female with the complaint of exertional dyspnea who underwent pericardiectomy and pleuropericardial fenestration and was diagnosed as chronic pericarditis. She followed an uneventful course for four years following surgery. It might be said, therefore, that careful follow-up should be the rule for patients with hemorrhagic pericarditis.