Key result
Supervised chest physiotherapy improves lung function and mobility in severe constrictive pericarditis.
Why the study?
Constrictive pericarditis is a rare condition occurring in fewer than 1 in 10,000 individuals that causes right-sided heart congestion, impaired ventricular filling, and hepatic congestion, in which physiotherapy plays a vital management role to enhance recovery and prevent deconditioning.
Case Report (n=1)
No
This case report highlights the role of supervised chest physiotherapy and comprehensive cardiopulmonary rehabilitation in improving lung function and mobility in a patient with constrictive pericarditis.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Supports adjunctive cardiopulmonary rehabilitation in constrictive pericarditis but should not yet change practice; leaves open objective efficacy until evaluated in controlled trials.
Constrictive Pericarditis (CP) is characterised by proliferation of granulation tissue within the pericardium, which reduces flexibility and causing right-sided heart congestion with impaired ventricular filling. The symptoms include chest pain, breathlessness, peripheral oedema and fatigue. The condition is rare, occurring in fewer than 1 in 10,000. In developed nations, 40 to 60% are idiopathic or due post-viral infection. Chronic venous hypertension can cause hepatic congestion, centrilobular necrosis, bridging fibrosis, and a “nutmeg liver” appearance of liver. Physiotherapy plays a vital role in management, incorporating breathing techniques, low to moderate intensity aerobic exercise, resistance training, and mobilisation to enhance recovery, strengthen respiratory muscles, and prevent deconditioning. A 33-year-old female presented with chest pain, back pain, dyspnoea {modified Medical Research Council (mMRC Grade III)}, cough, and fatigue. After medical management, supervised physiotherapy and supportive care, she showed improved lung function, and mobility. The present case highlights the importance of chest physiotherapy in pericarditis.
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Vardhan et al. (2026) conducted a case report in Constrictive pericarditis with pleural effusion and nutmeg liver disease (n=1). Comprehensive cardiopulmonary rehabilitation and chest physiotherapy (breathing techniques, aerobic exercise, resistance training, mobilisation) was evaluated on Lung function and mobility. Supervised chest physiotherapy and medical management improved lung function and mobility in a 33-year-old female with constrictive pericarditis and mMRC Grade III dyspnoea.
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