title: Early development of severe constrictive pericarditis after coronary bypass grafting.
abstract: A 61-year-old patient developed severe constrictive pericarditis with exertional dyspnea, 3 weeks after coronary bypass surgery. The diagnosis was confirmed by echocardigraphy and computed tomography examination. Despite the short duration of the disease, the pericardium showed a thickness of about 1 cm. Because initial treatment with steroids, diuretics and antiinflammatory drugs was of no avail, the patient underwent pericardiectomy, with a satisfactory outcome. The relatively rapid progress of constriction and the marked thickness of the pericardium that developed after a short period of time are emphasized.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine C, Golda Campus, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tiqva, Israel. dc375380@netvision.net.il
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bergman
authors.forename: Gideon
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sahar
authors.forename: Janos
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vitrai
authors.forename: Hertzel
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Salman
mesh_terms: D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010492:Pericardiectomy; D010494:Pericarditis, Constrictive / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography