Subacute effusive constrictive epicarditis.

The coexistence of subacute pericardial effusion and epicardial constriction produces a clinical state, subacute effusive constrictive epicarditis, which resembles pericardial effusion with tamponade. However, pericardiocentesis results in only partial and temporary relief, a feature which is of importance in diagnosis. This syndrome was seen in five patients all of whom benefited from early pericardiectomy.