Constrictive pericarditis: lessons from the past five years' experience in the South West Cardiothoracic Centre

Abstract

There are still patients who develop constrictive pericarditis. The aetiology has changed from times when it usually resulted from tuberculosis or purulent infection. The symptoms and signs may be misinterpreted and lead to the wrong diagnosis of congestive cardiac failure, lung disease, or liver disease. Patients with constrictive pericarditis present to specialists in different disciplines. We describe our experience, over five years, in one tertiary referral centre. We highlight the presentation, aetiology, investigation, and treatment and hope to remind all physicians of an uncommon but treatable condition.