Chronic Constrictive Pericarditis: The Experience in the Philippine Heart Center and the Philippine General Hospital

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Chronic constrictive pericarditis (CCP) in developing countries is usually due to tuberculous pericarditis. This study aims to determine the patient profile, clinical presentations, different diagnostic tests, procedures and outcomes of CCP at the Philippine Heart Center (PHC) and the Philippine General Hospital (PGH). METHODOLOGY: This was a retrospective study that included all adult patients who were admitted to PHC and PGH for tuberculous pericarditis between January 2010 and December 2013. Characteristics, clinical course and outcomes of patients were described. RESULTS: The study included 67 patients from PHC and 22 patients from PGH, with a mean age of 38 years. The male-to-female ratios were 2.19:1 for PHC and 3.41:1 for PGH. Dyspnea was the most common complaint, present in 93% of PHC patients and 59% from PGH. Cardiac tamponade was documented by echocardiography in 36% of PHC patients and 46% from PGH. Anti-Koch’s therapy was given to 100% at PHC and 64% at PGH. Pericardiectomy was done on 12% of patients from PHC and 55% at PGH. Perioperative mortality was 3% for PHC and 5% for PGH. CONCLUSION: CCP is common in tuberculous pericarditis. PHC and PGH varied in their CCP management. Pericardiectomy may improve the outcome of patients with CCP. KEYWORDS: chronic constrictive pericarditis, tuberculous pericarditis.