CASE REPORT: The case of a 46-year-old male with progressive dyspnea on exertion and severe headache while having the head lowered is described. Clinically, the patient showed left-sided pleural effusion, jugular venous distension, and a congested liver. During cardiologic work-up, echocardiography, combined left/right heart catherization and magnetic resonance imaging established the diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis. Under conservative medical treatment, the patient again developed cardiac decompensation and, therefore, a pericardectomy was performed. Immediately after surgery, symptoms diminished and exercise tolerance increased. The patient is currently in cardiac rehabilitation. CONCLUSION: Constrictive pericarditis is a rare differential diagnosis of right heart failure. Especially in patients with congested inferior vena cava, but normal systolic left ventricular function and normal function of the cardiac valves, constrictive pericarditis should be considered as a differential diagnosis.
CASE REPORT: The case of a 46-year-old male with progressive dyspnea on exertion and severe headache while having the head lowered is described. Clinically, the patient showed left-sided pleural effusion, jugular venous distension, and a congested liver. During cardiologic work-up, echocardiography, combined left/right heart catherization and magnetic resonance imaging established the diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis. Under conservative medical treatment, the patient again developed cardiac decompensation and, therefore, a pericardectomy was performed. Immediately after surgery, symptoms diminished and exercise tolerance increased. The patient is currently in cardiac rehabilitation. CONCLUSION:Constrictive pericarditis is a rare differential diagnosis of right heart failure. Especially in patients with congested inferior vena cava, but normal systolic left ventricular function and normal function of the cardiac valves, constrictive pericarditis should be considered as a differential diagnosis.
Authors: Ferdinand S Leya; Dinesh Arab; Dominique Joyal; Krystyna M Shioura; Bruce E Lewis; Lowell H Steen; Leslie Cho Journal: J Am Coll Cardiol Date: 2005-06-07 Impact factor: 24.094
Authors: Deepak R Talreja; William D Edwards; Gordon K Danielson; Hartzell V Schaff; A Jamil Tajik; Henry D Tazelaar; Jerome F Breen; Jae K Oh Journal: Circulation Date: 2003-09-29 Impact factor: 29.690
Authors: John H Haley; A Jamil Tajik; Gordon K Danielson; Hartzell V Schaff; Sharon L Mulvagh; Jae K Oh Journal: J Am Coll Cardiol Date: 2004-01-21 Impact factor: 24.094
Authors: Stefan C Bertog; Senthil K Thambidorai; Kapil Parakh; Paul Schoenhagen; Volkan Ozduran; Penny L Houghtaling; Bruce W Lytle; Eugene H Blackstone; Michael S Lauer; Allan L Klein Journal: J Am Coll Cardiol Date: 2004-04-21 Impact factor: 24.094