Echocardiographic diagnosis of effusive-constrictive pericarditis due to staphylococcal pericarditis after cardiac surgery.
Two weeks after coronary artery bypass surgery, a 43-year-old man was readmitted with fever, pneumonia, left pleural effusion, and pericarditis. Echocardiography showed a localized posterior pericardial effusion, pericardial thickening, and bulging of the ventricular septum toward the left ventricle. Right-sided catheterization indicated pericardial constriction. Effusive-constrictive pericarditis was confirmed at surgery. Cardiac imaging played an important role in diagnosis of this unusual complication of cardiac surgery.
D'Cruz
I A
IA
Department of Medicine, (Cardiology Section), Medical College of Georgia, Augusta.
Pallas
C W
CW
Heck
A
A
D000328:Adult; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004452:Echocardiography; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010494:Pericarditis, Constrictive / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology