Constrictive Pericarditis

Constrictive pericarditis occurs when a rigid, scarred pericardium prevents normal ventricular filling, producing predominantly right-sided heart failure despite preserved systolic function.

In this episode, Chris and Mars review:

• Kussmaul sign, rapid y descent, and the pericardial knock
• Common causes including cardiac surgery, prior pericarditis, radiation, and tuberculosis
• Septal bounce and ventricular interdependence
• Constrictive pericarditis versus restrictive cardiomyopathy
• Echocardiography, cardiac C T, M R I, and invasive hemodynamics
• Diuretics for congestion
• Transient inflammatory constriction
• Pericardiectomy as definitive treatment for chronic symptomatic disease

Episode pearl: Restrictive cardiomyopathy is a stiff myocardium. Constrictive pericarditis is a heart trapped inside a stiff pericardium.

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