Vnitr Lek 2010, 56(2):149-153

A case study of a young male patient with subacute constrictive pericarditis

M. Plachý^1,*, J. Špác¹, M. Souček¹, O. Hlinomaz², V. Feitová³

¹ II. interní klinika Lékařské fakulty MU a FN u sv. Anny Brno, přednosta prof. MUDr. Miroslav Souček, CSc.

² I. interní kardio-angiologická klinika Lékařské fakulty MU a FN u sv. Anny Brno, přednosta prof. MUDr. Jiří Vítovec, CSc., FESC

³ Klinika zobrazovacích metod Lékařské fakulty MU a FN u sv. Anny Brno, přednosta doc. MUDr. Petr Krupa, CSc.

Chronic constrictive pericarditis (CP) is a disorder affecting pericardium, that becomes inelastic, rigid and restricts filling of the ventricles. Most commonly CP evolves after acute pericarditis, typical is a long-lasting asymptomatic phase with development of right heart failure and low systemic output. The case report refers CP, which developed in 33 years old patient in a short period after acute idiopatic pericarditis. The patient suffered from severe congestive heart failure with oedema and pleural effusion. At first this diagnosis had not been thought of, the differential diagnosis was focused at primary lung disorder or autoimunne disease. After the true causation had been revealed, pericardectomy was performed with optimal effect and consequential complete recovery. Unfortunately the etiology of CP wasn't discovered. CP is in Europe a relatively rare disease, particularly in such young patients. Determining the correct diagnosis and treatment is vital to be done as soon as possible to prevent increase of surgery risk and probability of post-operative diastolic abnormalities.

Keywords: constrictive pericarditis; idiopathic pericarditis; echocardiography; right heart catheterisation with tonometry

Received: October 4, 2009; Accepted: November 3, 2009; Published: February 1, 2010  Show citation