Key result
Pericardiectomy resolves peripheral oedema and restores NYHA Class I functional status in traumatic constrictive pericarditis.
Why the study?
Delayed-onset constrictive pericarditis associated with trauma is a rare clinical entity requiring further characterization.
Case Report (n=1)
Pericardiectomy may be considered in trauma-induced constrictive pericarditis; single case leaves open need for prospective confirmation.
A 59-year-old man presented with exertional dyspnoea and pretibial oedema that had lasted 6 months. He was referred to our hospital with suspected constrictive pericarditis (CP). Several examinations, including CT, echocardiography and cardiac catheterisation, indicated heart failure associated with CP that had been induced by trauma 13 years prior. The CP and heart failure were unresponsive to medical treatment, therefore, a surgical pericardiectomy was performed, which is considered the only definitive treatment. Pathological examination of the resected pericardium revealed a fatty texture and dense fibrous connective tissues, which are associated with old haemorrhage and focal calcification. The patient's symptoms were improved to New York Heart Association Class I, and his peripheral oedema disappeared 6 months after leaving hospital.
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Suetani et al. (2021) conducted a case report in Constrictive pericarditis (n=1). Surgical pericardiectomy was evaluated on Symptom improvement (NYHA Class) and resolution of peripheral oedema. Surgical pericardiectomy improved symptoms to NYHA Class I and completely resolved peripheral oedema 6 months post-discharge in a patient with trauma-induced constrictive pericarditis.
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