Surgical management of idiopathic constrictive pericarditis

Constrictive pericarditis is defined as impaired diastolic cardiac function leading to heart failure, progressive fluid overload, systemic venous congestion and reduction of cardiac output. Both ventricles affected by the constriction; however, symptoms of right heart failure dominate. The congestive heart failure and normal left ventricular systolic functions are seen in the presence constrictive pericarditis. Pericardiectomy is considered as the mainstay treatment method for constrictive pericarditis. Here we present successful pericardiectomy of a 68 year old female. (c) 2017 The Czech Society of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier Sp. z o. o. All rights reserved.