Atrial septal defect and constrictive pericarditis. An unusual combination.
We describe a case of atrial septal defect associated with constrictive pericarditis. This combination is extremely rare and clinically misleading, since it may simulate other more common conditions. A variety of techniques, such as computerized tomography, echocardiography and cardiac catheterization were necessary for establishing the right diagnosis. Although there are suggestions of a possible association of atrial septal defect with pericardial disease, it is difficult to prove that this combination is other than coincidence.
Kouvaras
G
G
Cardiology Department, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, England.
Goudevenos
J
J
Chronopoulos
G
G
Sofronas
G
G
Reed
P
P
Adams
P
P
Cokkinos
D V
DV
D000368:Aged; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization; D004452:Echocardiography; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006344:Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010494:Pericarditis, Constrictive / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed