Morphological features of constrictive pericarditis

The features of pericardial morphology in constrictive pericarditis are described, based on the surgery material, which was obtained from 27 patients aged 5-77 years during pericardectomy. Pericarditis aetiology included infectious, non-infectious, and idiopathic variants. Uniform pericardial morphology was observed in 92,6% of the cases, regardless of pericarditis aetiology. In 70,3%, recurrent or fading inflammation was observed. Productive inflammation involved not only pericardial, but also adipose and myocardial tissues. In all samples, severe degeneration of pericardial receptors and conductive nerves was observed. These morphological features of constrictive pericarditis justify the need for long-term supportive therapy in chronic pericarditis.