Results of Surgical Treatment of Post-Tuberculous Constrictive Pericarditis

Abstract

Objectives : To evaluate the results of surgical treatment of post-tuberculous constrictive pericarditis. Materials and methods: This was a retrospective study of 08 cases of constrictive pericarditis of tuberculous origin observed between January 2015 and december 2019. These patients presented with right (3 cases) or bilateral (5 cases) adiastolism. All patients underwent subtotal pericardectomy by vertical median sternotomy. Results : There were no early deaths. Non-fatal complications included 3 cases of haemorrhage from a wound in the right atrium. The mean length of stay in intensive care was 2 +/- 0.5 days and the mean length of hospitalisation was 10 +/- 2 days. None of the 08 patients was lost to follow-up. After a mean follow-up of 28 +/- 6 months, 06 are currently at NYHA functional stage I (75%) and 02 at stage II (25%); the mean cardio thoracic ratio had become 0.58 +/- 0.2. Conclusion : Pericardectomy remains the only life-saving procedure for any patient at the stage of constrictive pericarditis.