[Clinical and echocardiographic features of constrictive pericarditis: analysis of 36 cases with literature review].
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the clinical and echocardiographic features of constrictive pericarditis.


METHODS
Thirty-six patients diagnosed as having constrictive pericarditis from Oct. 1989 to Jun. 2007 were enrolled in this retrospective study. Clinical manifestations and echocardiographic features were analyzed.


RESULTS
The main clinical manifestations were fatigue, effort dyspnea(100%), and sign of pressure elevation of vena cava(97%). Echocardiographic features included thickening of pericardium(67%), abnormal motion of septal and posterior wall of left ventricle in diastole(83%, 75% respectively), left and right atrial enlargement(92%,39% respectively), early filling changes of mitral flow with respiration(93%), inferior vena cava dilation and without respiration variation(100%), mitral annulus paradoxical enhanced motion in early diastole.


CONCLUSIONS
Clinical manifestations of pressure elevation of vena cava were indicators for diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis. Echocardiography could be a valuable method for confirming the diagnosis.
Feng
Xin Heng
XH
Department of Cardiology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100083, China.
Li
Zhao Ping
ZP
Li
Wei Hong
WH
D000328:Adult; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010494:Pericarditis, Constrictive / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012189:Retrospective Studies