title: [Chronic constrictive pericarditis].
abstract: Chronic constrictive pericarditis is a rare condition characterized by an impairment of myocardial relaxation due to limitation by a rigid pericardium. It is most often associated with infection, thoracic radiotherapy and heart surgery. Clinical features are that of chronic heart failure, therefore non-specific and resulting in a delay of several years before diagnosis is made. The echocardiogram and heart catheterization are part of the initial work-up. Surgical treatment consisting in pericardiectomy can be curative if the disease is recognised early. This article makes use of a case report and review of the litterature to discuss the physiopathology, clinical features and management of chronic constrictive pericarditis.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Seidler
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lebowitz
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Müller
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease; D057210:Delayed Diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004232:Diuretics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010492:Pericardiectomy; D010494:Pericarditis, Constrictive / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D011379:Prognosis; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D004232:Diuretics