Constrictive Pericarditis Research Articles

Pericardial adhesion and performance of hemodynamically significant constrictive pericarditis using cine magnetic resonance feature tracking.

To investigate the diagnostic performance of cine magnetic resonance feature tracking (FT) for pericardial adhesions and hemodynamically significant constrictive pericarditis (CP). This retrospective study included patients who underwent cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging between 2011 and 2021. Twenty-four patients (median age, 73 years; seven females) suspected of having CP and undergoing CMR were selected (CP group). Age-matched 24 participants with heart failure (HF) and 24 healthy volunteers were also analyzed. The FT method assessed septal bounce, the presence of a dip or plateau pattern, and pericardial adhesions. The diagnostic performance, including the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for hemodynamically significant CP, was evaluated against catheterization results, and the adhesion detection in the combined CP and HF control was based on cine tagging or surgical records. Septal bounce was detected in 54% (13/24) of the patients by FT and 38% (9/24) of the patients by visual evaluation in the CP group but not in the HF or normal group (p < 0.001). To detect hemodynamically significant CP, the sensitivity and specificity of each finding were as follows: septal bounce, 85% (11/13) and 82% (9/11); adhesion, 100% (13/13) and 9% (1/11); dip, 77% (10/13) and 36% (4/11); and plateau, 69% (9/13) and 46% (5/11), respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of pericardial adhesion detection using FT and visual evaluation were 96% (23/24) and 100% (24/24), respectively, and the AUCs were 0.998 and 0.999, respectively. CMR-FT demonstrates high sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing hemodynamically significant CP and pericardial adhesions.

Prognostic factors and etiological insights in constrictive pericarditis

Abstract Constrictive pericarditis (CP) is an infrequent disease that poses a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge, with mortality often linked to underlying etiological factors. Our unicentric retrospective research aims to elucidate prognostic indicators and unravel the diverse etiological spectrum of this condition. The study is accepted by the Ethical Committee of our Center. Between January 2010 and December 2023, we have identified a total of 112 patients diagnosed with CP, with an average follow-up time of 6.42 years (IQR 1.98 - 11.45). We present the baseline variables of the patients, etiology and prescribed treatments in the table 1, comparing patients who survive with those who do not survive. 66.1% of patients were males and median age was 60.8 years old. We present two Kaplan-Meier curves (Figures 1 and 2) comparing the survival rates between CP etiologies. In Figure 1, all causes are represented separately. In Figure 2, CP related to cardiac surgery, radiotherapy, purulent pericarditis, tuberculous pericarditis, mixed and other causes are combined. Our results suggest a better prognosis in patients with idiopathic CP and worse prognosis in patients with oncological related CP. The significant predictors in the univariate Cox analysis were age, cachexia, ascites, oncology etiology, hemoglobin, sodium, Euroscore II and surgical pericardiectomy. The best predictive model (selected with a lower AIC) to predict mortality throughout follow-up, with a Harrell's C of 0.835, included the variables age, cachexia, oncological cause and hyponatremia as risk factors for mortality and surgical treatment by pericardiectomy as a protective factor (Figure 3). In conclusion, our study suggests that CP etiology has an impact on survival with oncological cause having the worst prognosis. Furthermore, other factors as hyponatremia, cachexia, shock and age at diagnosis have also resulted in indicators of poor outcome.Figure 1.Kaplan meierFigure 3.Predictive model

Preliminary findings of the TB-HEART Study: prevalence of cardiac pathology among newly diagnosed patients with tuberculosis with and without HIV in Zambia

Abstract Background Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) burden is rapidly increasing in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) where tuberculosis and HIV prevalence remain high.(1-3) Recent data suggest pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) is associated with increased CVD morbidity.(4) However, the mechanisms of cardiac injury remain poorly understood. Purpose The TB-HEART study is a cross-sectional and natural history study consecutively recruiting participants with newly-diagnosed PTB, living with and without HIV in Zambia. The primary outcome is the burden of cardiac pathology in PTB patients with and without HIV. Methods Participants with bacteriologically-proven PTB, consecutively recruited from an outpatient settings in Zambia, undergo detailed clinical and functional assessments including point-of-care and standard two-dimensional (2D) echocardiography. Participants are reviewed at completion of TB treatment when all assessments are repeated. The target sample size is 250 participants with PTB, with and without HIV, matched 2: 1 to participants without PTB, stratified by HIV. Results Since 1 November 2023, we have recruited 73 participants with a mean age of 35.3±10.9 years of whom 51/73 (69.9%) are male and 19/73 (23.5%) are living with HIV. Baseline characteristics including cardiovascular risk factors, TB symptoms, anthropometry and clinical and functional observations at presentation, stratified by HIV status, are summarised in Table 1. We detected significant cardiac pathology (defined as left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) &amp;lt;51% and/or pericardial effusion &amp;gt;2cm in depth) in 8/65 (12.3%) participants for whom 2D-echocardiography had been completed. Median LVEF was 61.2% (IQR 57.7-67.8). LVEF was normal in 59/65 (91%); mildly abnormal in 5/65 (7.7%); and moderately abnormal in 1/65 (1.5%) participants, respectively. Pericardial effusion &amp;gt;0.5cm was detected in 16/65 (24.6% ) participants and maximum effusion depth was &amp;gt;2cm in 2/16 (3.1%), 1-2cm in 12/16 (75%) and &amp;lt;1cm in 2/16 (12.5%). 2D-echocardiography findings, stratified by HIV-status, are described in Table 2 alongside two echocardiography stills of typical pericardial effusion findings in one participant. Conclusions Our preliminary results demonstrate a higher than expected prevalence of cardiac pathology among participants with PTB with and without HIV, which ranges from 1-7% in autopsy studies and case series.(5-7) The most common cardiac pathology was pericardial effusion. Further analyses will include cardiac biomarkers; repeat clinical and echocardiographic assessments at TB treatment completion; and comparator data, to determine associations between prevalent cardiac pathology and PTB controlling for HIV and TB status, respectively. This may have important implications for clinical practice to prevent complications such as constrictive pericarditis; and policy design to better integrate TB and HIV patient services with preventative care to reduce future CVD risk.Table 1 - Baseline characteristicsFigure 1 and Table 2

Risk of cardiovascular disease in Hodgkin lymphoma patients

Abstract Background Cardiovascular diseases are recognized as some of the most common and problematic late complications to the treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). However, the anticipated risk is predominantly based on studies of patients treated several decades ago with treatment regimens considered outdated by todays standard. Purpose To describe the risk of cardiovascular disease in HL patients undergoing contemporary treatment regimens and comparing this risk to matched comparators. Methods A register-based cohort study including all Danish HL patients ≥18 years at diagnosis, treated with anthracycline-containing chemotherapy between 2000 and 2022. Index date was defined as date of HL diagnosis. Matching with comparators from the background population was performed in a 1:5 ratio on age, sex, and comorbidities. Patients and comparators with malignancy and/or heart disease prior to the index date were excluded. The primary outcome was a composite endpoint of cardiovascular diseases: heart failure, ischemic heart disease, diseases of the aortic-, mitral-, and tricuspid valve, constrictive pericarditis, cardiomyopathies, atrial and ventricular arrythmias, or any invasive procedures related to these diagnoses. Follow-up began at index date and ended upon event, relapse, death, emigration, or end of follow-up (December 31, 2022), whichever occurred first. The cause-specific cumulative incidence of the primary outcome was computed with all-cause death and lymphoma relapse as competing events using the Aalen-Johansen estimator. Exploratory multivariable Cox regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors for cardiovascular disease among patients with HL. Risk factors were adjusted for sex, age, and comorbidities. Results A total of 1,917 HL patients and 9,585 matched comparators were included. Median age at diagnosis was 39 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 27-56), 57% were male, and median follow-up time was 10.2 years (IQR: 5.3-15.5). The majority of patients were treated with ABVD (83%) and the estimated median cumulative anthracycline dose was 250 mg/m2 (IQR: 200-300). During the study period, 50% of patients received radiotherapy. The cause-specific cumulative incidence of the primary outcome was higher among HL patients compared with comparators across follow-up: 3.7% (95% confidence interval: 2.8-4.6) vs. 2.0% (95% CI: 1.7-2.3) at 5 years, 7.2% (95% CI: 5.7-8.7) vs. 4.6% (95% CI: 4.1-5.1) at 10 years, and 14.2% (95% CI 11.6-16.9) vs 6.7% (95% CI: 6.0-7.5) at 15 years (Figure 1). Risk factors associated with development of heart disease in HL patients were history of hypertension (HR=1.81, 95% CI 1.15-2.84) and male sex (HR=2.01, 95% CI 1.39-2.91) (Figure 2). Conclusions The long-term risk of cardiovascular disease is still high in patients with HL after contemporary treatment suggesting that the use of modern radiotherapy has not eliminated the excess risk of cardiovascular disease.

A novel marker of cardiovascular risk stratification: the role of total cardiovascular calcium score using cardiac CT

Abstract Introduction It is widely accepted that coronary and valve calcification measured by cardiac CT, individually, are associated with cardiovascular events and mortality. However, the role of an encompassing marker of cardiovascular atherosclerosis could be more representative of the real cardiovascular risk. Objectives To determine the prognostic value of a combined coronary, valvular and aortic calcium score to predict long-term major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE). Methods We conducted a single center study on 316 consecutive patients who underwent cardiac CT scan between January 2018 and December 2019. We excluded patients with poor imaging quality, constrictive pericarditis, prosthetic valves and/or devices. The calcium score of coronary arteries (CA), mitral valve (MV), aortic valve (AoV), ascending aorta (AAo) and aortic arch (AAc) were calculated from non-contrast ECG-gated CT using the Agatston method and were combined to derive a valvular (VA=MV+AoV), total cardiac (TC=CA+VA) and total cardiovascular (TCV=TC+AAo+AAc) calcium scores (Fig.1A). The primary endpoint was a composite of MACCE, defined as all-cause death, stroke, myocardial infarction and hospital admission for heart failure. Results A total of 275 CT scans were suitable for analysis. Mean age was 59.6±12.3 years, 48.4% were female. A total of 183 (66.7%) patients presented calcification in at least one location. Patients with calcification on any of the prespecified locations had higher prevalence of hypertension, dyslipidemia and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) than those without any calcium (p&amp;lt;0.05). After a median follow-up of 3.18 [IQR 2.84-3.69] years, 40 (14.5%) patients had met the primary endpoint. Regression analyses demonstrated that all CA, VA, TC and TCV scores were independent predictors of MACCE (p&amp;lt;0.05 for all). The best prediction models included calcium score (all combinations), age, sex, type 2 DM and smoking status (Fig.1B). The model with TCV score was the most powerful predictor of MACCE (χ2 47.8), followed by TC score (χ2 43.1). Of interest, the model with CA score had the poorest performance (χ2 35.4). Conclusion Coronary calcium score is a quick way to stratify risk in clinical practice, but its performance is too focused on coronary events. Total cardiovascular calcium score, however, is more encompassing, also quick to measure, and a more truthful depiction of the patient’s cardiac and cerebrovascular risk, potentially allowing a more tailored and timely approach to risk factors in clinical practice.

Pericardial Disease in Patients with Cancer: Clinical Insights on Diagnosis and Treatment

Pericardial disease is increasingly recognized in cancer patients, including acute pericarditis, pericardial effusion, and constrictive pericarditis, often indicating a poor prognosis. Acute pericarditis arises from direct tumor involvement, cancer therapies, and radiotherapy. Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-related pericarditis, though rare, entails significant mortality risk. Treatment includes NSAIDs, colchicine, and corticosteroids or anti-IL1 drugs in refractory cases. Pericardial effusion is the most frequent manifestation, primarily caused by lung cancer, followed by breast cancer, lymphoma, leukemia, gastrointestinal tumors, and melanoma. Chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiotherapy may also cause fluid accumulation in the pericardial space. Symptomatic relief for pericardial effusion may require pericardiocentesis, prolonged catheter drainage, or a pericardial window. Instillation of intrapericardial cytostatic agents may reduce recurrence. Constrictive pericarditis, though less common, often develops from radiotherapy and requires multimodality imaging for diagnosis, with pericardiectomy as the definitive treatment. Primary pericardial tumors are rare, with metastases being more frequent. Patients with cancer and pericardial disease generally have poor survival, emphasizing the need for early detection. A multidisciplinary approach involving hematologists, oncologists, and cardiologists is crucial to tailoring pericardial disease treatment to a patient’s clinical status, thereby improving the quality of life and prognosis.

Fatal cerebral thrombosis after pericardiectomy

BackgroundPericardiectomy due to constrictive pericarditis is usually safe procedure. There was a rare event of thrombosis after pericardiectomy, which was mainly accounted by low-cardiac-output syndrome.Case presentationHere, we report the case undergoing pericardiectomy after constrictive pericarditis, with fatal cerebral thrombosis after pericardiectomy confirmed by endovascular mechanical thrombectomy. Even though recanalization was completed and suggestive decompressive craniectomy was in preparation, the patient still died for cerebral hernia due to severe edema. The causes of cerebral thrombosis after pericardiectomy in this case was accounted by the persistence of nonpliable pericardium encasing the left ventricular wall limited local myocardium motor, pro-coagulable state due to thermal transmission during decortication like radiofrequency ablation under the condition of postoperative atrial fibrillation and rapid ventricular rates precipitated the information of mural thrombus in cardiac cavity and migration into the main branch of the aortic arch.ConclusionThe protocol of prompt aggressive anticoagulation prophylaxis would be vigilantly recommended for the patients undergoing pericardiectomy.

Tuberculous constrictive pericarditis: the role of cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging in diagnosis and treatment monitoring.

Tuberculous constrictive pericarditis: the role of cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging in diagnosis and treatment monitoring.

Tuberculous calcific constrictive pericarditis in an adult female with a past history of abdominal tuberculosis.

Tuberculous pericarditis, one of the rarer extrapulmonary manifestations of tuberculosis, remains a challenge in endemic countries such as India. As the clinical presentation of tuberculous pericarditis is highly variable, the diagnosis is often missed, delayed, or incorrectly diagnosed. Constrictive pericarditis (CP) is one of tuberculous pericarditis's most serious and advanced sequelae. Several invasive and non-invasive diagnostic modalities are crucial to address the challenges of confirming the diagnosis of CP in suspected cases. This study reports the case of an Indian adult female with a past history of previously treated abdominal tuberculosis diagnosed anew with tuberculous calcific constrictive pericarditis.

CT-derived myocardial strain measurement in patients with chronic constrictive pericarditis

BackgroundWe aimed to compare computed tomography (CT)-derived myocardial strain between patients with constrictive pericarditis (CP) and a matched healthy control group and to identify factors associated with clinical outcomes after pericardiectomy. MethodsThis retrospective study included 65 patients with CP (mean age: 58.9 ​± ​8.0 years) and 65 healthy individuals (mean age: 58.0 ​± ​6.5 years) who underwent multiphase cardiac CT. The type of CP was classified as calcified CP or fibrotic CP. CT-derived strains from four cardiac chambers were compared between the CP and control groups, as well as between different types of CP. Clinical and CT-derived factors associated with adverse outcomes were identified using Cox regression analysis. ResultsCompared with the control group, the CP group showed significantly lower values of left atrium (LA) reservoir strain (15.7 ​% vs. 27.4 ​%), right atrium (RA) reservoir strain (15.1 ​% vs. 27.0 ​%), left ventricle (LV) global longitudinal strain (GLS) (−17.0 ​% vs. −19.5 ​%), and right ventricle free wall longitudinal strain (−21.1 ​% vs. −25.9 ​%) (all p ​< ​0.001). Biatrial reservoir strains and LV GLS were significantly lower in those with calcified CP compared to those with fibrotic CP. LA reservoir strain (hazard ratio, 0.91–95 ​% confidence interval, 0.86–0.96– p ​= ​0.001) was an independent prognostic factor for adverse events in patients with CP. ConclusionCardiac strain differences in CP were predominantly observed in the LA and RA compared to the healthy control group. Biatrial reservoir strains were specifically impaired in those with calcified CP than in those with fibrotic CP. LA reservoir strain was associated with prognosis in patients with CP following pericardiectomy.

Evaluating Pericardiectomy Outcomes and Determinants; an 8-Year Retrospective Study at Tertiary Teaching Hospitals in Ethiopia

&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Background&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;: Constrictive pericarditis has a variety of etiologies which leads to severe symptoms and heart failure which affects the quality of life. So far the main modality of treatment is pericardiectomy. &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Objective&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;: The aim of this research was to know pericardiectomy outcomes and determinants among constrictive pericarditis patients who were operated at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital from 2014 - 2022. &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Methods&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;: A retrospective study was done among 65 patients. Data was presented using frequencies with percentages, mean (±standard deviation) and/ or median (interquartile range) as required. Perioperative mortality and complications were summarized using incidence density with 95% confidence interval (CI). &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Result&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;: Most patients were in their 20s (53.8%) and where male are (84.6%). The commonest presenting symptom was shortness of breath (100%), fatiguability (96.9%), and coughs (66.2%). The median time of presentation was 12.3 months (IQR, 7.0-25.5). There were also cases with clinical symptoms of tuberculosis (13.8%). The etiology of constrictive pericarditis was infectious in 83.1% of cases. The mean length of surgery was 3.3 ± 0.6 hours. The median duration of hospital stay is 9.0 days (IQR, 7.0-12.0). The incidence rate (IR) of perioperative death was 7.9 per 1000 person-days (PD) of observation (94% CI = 3.3 – 19.2) and the incidence rate of complication was 4.8 per 1000 PD (95% CI = 1.5 -14.9). &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Conclusion&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;: Pericardiectomy is the best treatment for patients with constrictive pericarditis. The majority of patients had a good outcome, with an improvement in symptoms and functional status. The mortality rate was low, and the complication rate was acceptable. However, this study is based on relatively small sample size, and it is a retrospective study from a single center. Hence, further prospective studies are needed to confirm the findings of this study.

A Case of Acute Pericardial Abscess Due to Klebsiella Pneumoniae

Klebsiella pneumoniae (KPn) is a gram-negative bacterium, which is an opportunistic pathogen commonly found in the natural environment, and the infection rate of Klebsiella pneumoniae is increased in patients with underlying diseases such as diabetes mellitus, malignant tumors, liver and gallbladder diseases, and those who have received glucocorticoid therapy for a long period of time [1]-[4], which can cause urinary, respiratory, digestive, hematological, neurological and other multi-system infections with high morbidity and mortality rates [5]. Klebsiella pneumoniae infection involving the heart leading to purulent pericardial effusion has a lower incidence, and the literature in this regard reported extremely rare [6], mostly secondary to other parts of the infection, once suspected of pericardial abscess should be immediately performed pericardiocentesis to drain adequately, the application of saline to flush the pericardial cavity, can be thrombolysis of pericardial cavity with antibiotics or urokinase to speed up the process of treatment, to avoid the formation of constrictive pericarditis [7]-[9]. In order to improve clinicians' understanding of this disease, this article reports the diagnosis and treatment of a case of pericardial abscess caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae, with the aim of providing more case references for the clinic.

Post-varicella Secondary Disseminated Staphylococcus aureus Infection in a Child Complicated by Ventricular Pseudoaneurysm and Constrictive Pericarditis: Its Management and Review of Literature

Post-varicella Secondary Disseminated <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> Infection in a Child Complicated by Ventricular Pseudoaneurysm and Constrictive Pericarditis: Its Management and Review of Literature

A case of treatment of chronic constrictive pericarditis of tuberculous etiology

An observation from practice is given tuberculous constrictive pericarditis, which has been occurring for a long time with symptoms of polyserositis without identifying of etiology. The recurrent course of the disease, the constant accumulation of effusion in the abdominal and pleural cavities was the basis for the diagnosis: "compressive pericarditis complicated by calcification of unknown genesis and of constant patronage of cardiologists. Considering the tuberculous process suffered more than 10 years ago, to exclude the tuberculous etiology of polyserositis, the patient underwent pericardial resection. According to the results of microbiological examination of the surgical material, the tuberculous nature of pericarditis was established, however, according to the results of histological examination, no foci of necrosis and granuloma elements were found. The clinical case demonstrates the complexity of the diagnosis of tuberculous constrictive pericarditis with the phenomena of pronounced polyserositis, which was detected only as a result of diagnostic surgery: partial excision of the pericardium.

Overcoming diagnostic challenges in constrictive pericarditis: why volume is important?

A 65-year-old male with chronic liver disease and refractory ascites was being evaluated for liver transplant, when constrictive pericarditis (CP) was suspected. Initial diagnostics were inconclusive due to overdiuresis. After suspension of diuretics, cardiac magnetic resonance confirmed CP, leading to successful pericardiectomy and normalization of liver function, emphasizing volume status and multimodality imaging role in CP diagnosis.

Constrictive Pericarditis and Protein-Losing Enteropathies: Exploring the Heart-Gut Axis.

Background/Objectives: Constrictive pericarditis very rarely causes protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) induced by secondary intestinal lymphangiectasia. This study thoroughly reviewed the literature to shed light on the clinical management of PLE provoked by intestinal lymphangiectasia following constrictive pericarditis. Methods: We performed a PubMed search using the keywords enteropathy, protein-losing enteropathy, pericarditis, acute pericarditis, pericardial effusion, recurrent pericarditis, constrictive pericarditis, noninfectious pericarditis, idiopathic pericarditis, and infective pericarditis, with only English-language publications included. Results: Although constrictive pericarditis is primarily idiopathic, less common causes include infectious etiologies, connective/autoimmune tissue disorders, previous cardiac surgery, congenital syndromes, and cancer. On the one hand, PLE secondary to intestinal lymphangiectasia may cause a severe cellular immune deficiency that could raise infection hazards due to lymphocytopenia and hypogammaglobulinemia. On the other hand, lymphocytopenia may cause anergy and mask an underlying tuberculous etiology of constrictive pericarditis. Cardiac catheterization is the most useful diagnostic tool for constrictive pericarditis, though it may be misdiagnosed in rare cases. The videocapsule endoscopy and double-balloon enteroscopy techniques can detect small bowel lymphangiectasias distal to the Treitz ligament. MRI or a CT scan helps confirm constrictive pericarditis, visualize lymphangiectasias, and reveal features specific to the underlying etiology of PLE. Radioisotopic techniques may ensure PLE diagnosis in challenging cases, whereas fecal alpha1-antitrypsin can estimate gastrointestinal protein loss. Conclusions: Constrictive pericarditis is rarely associated with PLE. The cardio-intestinal abnormalities of PLE caused by constrictive pericarditis are frequently reversed following a complete pericardiectomy, though its ability to invert severe hypoalbuminemia is currently unknown.

Constrictive pericarditis in a patient with fiberglass lung disease: a case report

BackgroundFiberglass has a larger aerodynamic diameter and is less likely to be inhaled into the lungs. Further, it will be cleared even if it is mechanically broken into smaller pieces and inhaled into the lungs. Fiberglass lung disease has been well documented if long term exposure but was thought reversible and would not cause severe diseases. The diagnosis of fiberglass lung disease depends on exposure history and histopathological findings. However, the exact occupational exposure history is often difficult to identify because mixed substance exposure often occurs and fiberglass disease is not as well-known as asbestosis.Case presentationA 66-year-old man had unexplained transudative pericardial effusion requiring pleural pericardial window operation twice at another medical center where asbestosis was told because of his self-reported long-term asbestosis exposure and the histopathological finding of a ferruginous body in his lung. Constrictive pericarditis developed two years later and resulted in congestive heart failure. Radical pericardiectomy combined with lung biopsy was performed following chest computed tomography imaging and the transudative nature of pericardial effusion not compatible with asbestosis. However, the histopathologic findings of his lung and pericardium at our hospital only showed chronic fibrosis without any asbestosis body. The patient’s lung was found to be extremely fragile during a lung biopsy; histopathologic specimens were reviewed, and various fragments of fiberglass were found in the lung and pericardium. The patient’s occupational exposure was carefully reevaluated, and he restated that he was only exposed to asbestosis for 1–2 years but was heavily exposed to fiberglass for more than 40 years. This misleading exposure history was mainly because he was only familiar with the dangers of asbestos. Since most fiberglass lung diseases are reversible and the symptoms of heart failure resolve soon after surgery, only observation was needed. Ten months after radical pericardiectomy, his symptoms, pleural effusion, and impaired pulmonary function eventually resolved.ConclusionFiberglass could cause inflammation of the pericardium, resulting in pericardial effusion and constrictive pericarditis, which could be severe and require radical pericardiectomy. Exact exposure history and histopathological examinations are the key to diagnosis.

Effusive Constrictive Pericarditis in the Era of COVID-19

Effusive Constrictive Pericarditis in the Era of COVID-19

Constrictive pericarditis, the importance of CT for diagnosis. Case report

Constrictive pericarditis, the importance of CT for diagnosis. Case report

Constrictive Pericarditis Caused by Primary Pericardial Mesothelioma: A Case Series.

Constrictive Pericarditis Caused by Primary Pericardial Mesothelioma: A Case Series.