Left ventricular dysfunction after pericardiectomy for constrictive pericarditis.
A 56-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with a diagnosis of suspected constrictive pericarditis. After the diagnosis was confirmed by cardiac catheterization, an elective pericardiectomy was performed without complication. Four days after surgery dyspnea developed in the patient, and he was found to have an acute decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) by echocardiography. The patient's symptoms and the LVEF improved over time and returned to normal 4 weeks after surgery. Transient hemodynamic dysfunction of the left ventricle has previously been reported after pericardiectomy or pericardiocentesis; however, we know of no reports in the literature that confirm an acute reduction in LVEF by echocardiography after pericardiectomy for constrictive pericarditis.
Schofield
Richard S
RS
Malcom Randall Veterans Administration Medical Center, Department of Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, USA. schofrs@medicine.ufl.edu
Shoemaker
Steven B
SB
Ryerson
Eugene G
EG
Cooper
Gary R
GR
Spotnitz
William D
WD
D004452:Echocardiography; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010492:Pericardiectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010494:Pericarditis, Constrictive / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013318:Stroke Volume; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology