title: Transient right ventricular dysfunction after pericardiectomy in patients with constrictive pericarditis.
abstract: Pericardiectomy is the standard treatment in patients with chronic constrictive pericarditis who have persistent symptoms. However, myocardial atrophy with prolonged pericardial constriction and abrupt increase in venous return can lead to heart failure with volume overload after pericardial decompression, especially in the right ventricle (RV). We experienced a 44 year old male patient who developed transient RV failure after pericardiectomy for constrictive pericarditis. Echocardiography revealed a markedly dilated RV with decreased peak systolic velocity of the tricuspid annulus, suggesting severe RV dysfunction. After treatment with inotropics and diuretics, a follow-up echocardiography revealed an improved systolic function with decreased RV chamber size. This case demonstrates the importance of volume overload and RV dysfunction in patients with constrictive pericarditis undergoing pericardiectomy.
authors: Cardiology Division, Severence Cardiovascular Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Hee Tae
authors: HT
authors: Yu
authors: Jong-Won
authors: JW
authors: Ha
authors: Sak
authors: S
authors: Lee
authors: Chi Young
authors: CY
authors: Shim
authors: Jeonggeun
authors: J
authors: Moon
authors: In-Jeong
authors: IJ
authors: Cho
authors: Min-Kyung
authors: MK
authors: Kang
authors: Woo-In
authors: WI
authors: Yang
authors: Donghoon
authors: D
authors: Choi
authors: Namsik
authors: N
authors: Chung