Surgical treatment of chronic constrictive pericarditis using cardiopulmonary bypass.

The results of operative treatment of 11 patients with chronic constrictive pericarditis with the aid of cardiopulmonary bypass are described. Ten of the 11 patients had Functional Class III or IV disability preoperatively, and all had evidence of severe constrictive disease on physical examination and cardiac catheterization. Pericardiectomy, performed on cardiopulmonary bypass through a median sternotomy incision, required an average total perfusion time of 80 minutes. There were no intraoperative or hospital deaths, and none of the patients required prolonged postoperative hospitalization, All patients except 1, who died 4 weeks postoperatively of pulmonary embolism, have enjoyed marked functional improvement. The technical advantages of pericardiectomy performed on cardiopulmonary bypass are presented.