title: The etiologic spectrum of constrictive pericarditis.
abstract: Ninety-five consecutive patients with constrictive pericarditis that was documented at the time of surgery during 1970 to 1985 were reviewed. The etiologies included idiopathic (42%), postradiotherapy (31%), post-cardiac surgery (11%), postinfective (6%), connective tissue disease-related (4%), neoplastic (3%) uremic (2%), and sarcoidosis (1%). Post-cardiac surgery etiology was seen only after 1980, but constituted 29% of cases during 1980-1985. Postradiotherapy etiology occurred with equal incidence in 1980-1985 and in 1970-1980, but the interval from radiotherapy to presentation with constrictive pericarditis was longer in the more recent period (11 vs 4.75 years). Effusive constrictive pericarditis occurred in 24% overall with similar prevalence in all of the etiologic groups except the postsurgical cases, which were caused by noneffusive fibrous constrictive pericarditis in all instances. Operative mortality was 12% overall: It was lower in the idiopathic group (8%) and higher in the postradiotherapy group (21%). Thus postradiotherapy constrictive pericarditis continues to occur despite technical changes aimed at reducing its likelihood, but recent cases have a longer latent period: and postsurgical constrictive pericarditis has emerged as an important etiology.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010494:Pericarditis, Constrictive / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D010496:Pericardium / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors