title: The prevalence and outcome of effusive constrictive pericarditis: a systematic review of the literature.
abstract: There is sparse information on the epidemiology of effusive constrictive pericarditis (ECP). The objective of this article was to review and summarise the literature on the prevalence and outcome of ECP, and identify gaps for further research. The prevalence of ECP ranged from 2.4 to 14.8%, with a weighted average of 4.5% [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.2-7.5%]. Sixty-five per cent (95% CI: 43-82%) of patients required pericardiectomy regardless of the aetiology. The combined death rate across the studies was 22% (95(CI: 4-50%). The prevalence of ECP is low in non-tuberculous pericarditis, while pericardiectomy rates are high and mortality is variable. In this review, of 10 patients identified with tuberculous ECP, only one presumed case had a definite diagnosis of ECP. Appropriate studies are needed to determine the epidemiology of ECP in tuberculous pericarditis, which is one of the leading causes of pericardial disease in the world.
authors.affiliation: Cardiac Clinic, Department of Medicine, Groote Schuur Hospital and University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa. mpiko.ntsekhe@uct.ac.za
authors.forename: Mpiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ntsekhe
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Shey Wiysonge
authors.forename: Patrick J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Commerford
authors.forename: Bongani M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Mayosi
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery; D010492:Pericardiectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010494:Pericarditis, Constrictive / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery; D010495:Pericarditis, Tuberculous / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D015995:Prevalence; D016896:Treatment Outcome