Vol 70, No 4 (2012)
Case studies
Published online: 2012-04-24
Constrictive pericarditis as complication of viral respiratory infection
DOI: 10.33963/v.kp.78949
Kardiol Pol 2012;70(4):392-394.
Abstract
A 24 year-old man with 3-months medical history of recurrent respiratory infections and pericardial effusion, despite treatment
with nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs, was admitted to the hospital with dyspnea on exertion. On admission he
presented the symptoms of right heart insufficiency. Computed tomography of the chest demonstrated a thickened pericardium.
Echocardiographic examination and right heart catheterisation established the diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis.
Serologic tests suggested viral aetiology. The patient was referred to cardiothoracic surgery, partial pericardiectomy was
performed with marked haemodynamic improvement.
Keywords: constrictive pericarditispericardiectomyviral infection