Project description:IntroductionConstrictive pericarditis is characterized by constriction of the heart secondary to pericardial inflammation. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging is useful imaging modality for addressing the challenges of confirming this diagnosis. It can be used to exclude other causes of right heart failure, such as pulmonary hypertension or myocardial infarction, determine whether the pericardium is causing constriction and differentiate it from restrictive cardiomyopathy, which also causes impaired cardiac filling.Case presentationA 77-year-old man from a country with high incidence of tuberculosis presented with severe dyspnea. Echocardiography revealed a small left ventricle with normal systolic and mildly impaired diastolic function. Left heart catheterization revealed non-obstructive coronary disease, not felt contributory to the dyspnea. Anatomy imaging with cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) showed global, severely thickened pericardium. Short tau inversion recovery (STIR) sequences for detection of oedema/ inflammation showed increased signal intensity and free breathing sequences confirmed septal flattening on inspiration. Late gadolinium imaging confirmed enhancement in the pericardium, with all findings suggestive of pericardial inflammation and constriction.ConclusionsCMR with STIR sequences, free breathing sequences and late gadolinium imaging can prove extremely useful for diagnosing constrictive pericarditis.
Project description:Tuberculous pericarditis (TBP) accounts for 1% of all forms of tuberculosis and for 1-2% of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. In endemic regions, TBP accounts for 50-90% of effusive pericarditis; in non-endemic, it only accounts for 4%. In the absence of prompt and effective treatment, TBP can lead to very serious sequelae, such as cardiac tamponade, constrictive pericarditis, and death. Early diagnosis of TBP is a cornerstone of effective treatment. The present article summarises the authors' own experiences and highlights the current status of knowledge concerning the diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm of TBP. Special attention is drawn to new, emerging molecular methods used for confirmation of M. tuberculosis infection as a cause of pericarditis.
Project description:BackgroundTuberculous pericarditis is associated with high morbidity and mortality even if antituberculosis therapy is administered. We evaluated the effects of adjunctive glucocorticoid therapy and Mycobacterium indicus pranii immunotherapy in patients with tuberculous pericarditis.MethodsUsing a 2-by-2 factorial design, we randomly assigned 1400 adults with definite or probable tuberculous pericarditis to either prednisolone or placebo for 6 weeks and to either M. indicus pranii or placebo, administered in five injections over the course of 3 months. Two thirds of the participants had concomitant human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The primary efficacy outcome was a composite of death, cardiac tamponade requiring pericardiocentesis, or constrictive pericarditis.ResultsThere was no significant difference in the primary outcome between patients who received prednisolone and those who received placebo (23.8% and 24.5%, respectively; hazard ratio, 0.95; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.77 to 1.18; P=0.66) or between those who received M. indicus pranii immunotherapy and those who received placebo (25.0% and 24.3%, respectively; hazard ratio, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.82 to 1.29; P=0.81). Prednisolone therapy, as compared with placebo, was associated with significant reductions in the incidence of constrictive pericarditis (4.4% vs. 7.8%; hazard ratio, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.87; P=0.009) and hospitalization (20.7% vs. 25.2%; hazard ratio, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.63 to 0.99; P=0.04). Both prednisolone and M. indicus pranii, each as compared with placebo, were associated with a significant increase in the incidence of cancer (1.8% vs. 0.6%; hazard ratio, 3.27; 95% CI, 1.07 to 10.03; P=0.03, and 1.8% vs. 0.5%; hazard ratio, 3.69; 95% CI, 1.03 to 13.24; P=0.03, respectively), owing mainly to an increase in HIV-associated cancer.ConclusionsIn patients with tuberculous pericarditis, neither prednisolone nor M. indicus pranii had a significant effect on the composite of death, cardiac tamponade requiring pericardiocentesis, or constrictive pericarditis. (Funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and others; IMPI ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00810849.).
Project description:PURPOSE OF REVIEW:This review provides an update on the immunopathogenesis of tuberculous pericarditis (TBP), investigations to confirm tuberculous etiology, the limitations of anti-tuberculous therapy (ATT), and recent efficacy trials. RECENT FINDINGS:A profibrotic immune response characterizes TBP, with low levels of AcSDKP, high levels of γ-interferon and IL-10 in the pericardium, and high levels of TGF-β and IL-10 in the blood. These findings may have implications for future therapeutic targets. Despite advances in nucleic acid amplification approaches, these tests remain disappointing for TBP. Trials of corticosteroids and colchicine have had mixed results, with no impact on mortality, evidence of a reduction in rates of constrictive pericarditis and potential harm in those with advanced HIV. Small studies suggest that ATT penetrates the pericardium poorly. Given that there is a close association between high bacillary burden and mortality, a rethink about the optimal drug doses and duration may be required. The high mortality and morbidity from TBP despite use of anti-tuberculous drugs call for researches targeting host-directed immunological determinants of treatment outcome. There is also a need for the identification of steps in clinical management where interventions are needed to improve outcomes.
Project description:Abstract Background Constrictive pericarditis (CP) is one of the most serious sequelae of tuberculous pericarditis, which is characterized by heart constriction secondary to intense pericardial inflammation and thickening. Several invasive and non-invasive diagnostic modalities are crucial to address the challenges of confirming the diagnosis of CP and to expedite timely intervention. Case summary This study reports the case of a Bahraini male with tuberculous lymphadenitis diagnosed with CP as a result of various evaluations. The patient underwent urgent total pericardiectomy and showed remarkable recovery with complete resolution of heart failure symptoms. Discussion This case demonstrates the paramount importance of early diagnosis and treatment for patients with CP. In this unique case, the acoustic windows on echocardiography were suboptimal because of pericardial thickening. Further, computed tomography did not show significant calcification of the thickened pericardium. A novel approach of assessing haemodynamics through the right antecubital vein and right radial artery facilitated the accurate diagnosis of CP with confidence. Thereafter, successful pericardiectomy revealed a markedly thickened and stiff pericardium with many abscesses and dense adhesions encasing the heart, and pericardial biopsy showed large caseating granulomas. This case exemplifies the difficulty in diagnosing CP and the favourable outcomes achieved with well-timed surgical intervention.
Project description:A 32 years old male patient presented to the emergency room with complete loss of consciousness since three hours. This was after two weeks of night fever, sweating and considerable loss of weight with self-treatment by antipyretic drugs. In the last two days, the patient develops confusion and altered behavior. Clinical examination revealed high-grade fever and coma. CXR revealed mild cardiomegaly. Treatment started with intravenous fluids, antipyretics, and antibiotics. On the next day , Echocardiography revealed mild Mitral regurgitation (MR), mild pericardial effusion with thickening of the pericardial membrane that suggested pericarditis. ESR was significantly elevated (57 mm/hour). After three days of treatment without improvement, Tuberculosis (TB) proposed and laboratory investigations implemented. Brain MRI T1 weighted images with Gadolinium injection revealed basal meningeal enhancement with multiple tiny cerebral granulomas.FLAIR-weighted images revealed multiple small high signal intensity foci in bilateral temporal lobes and the basal ganglia strongly suggesting vasculitis and ischemic lesions. CSF sample and culture was done, and anti-tuberculous drugs started with IV fluids, corticosteroids, and other supportive drugs. The results of CSF culture confirmed the diagnosis of Tuberculous meningitis. After two months of continuous anti-tuberculous treatment, the patient seemed to regain consciousness. The patient continued Rifampicin tab 700 mg, Isoniazid tab 350 mg, Ethambutol tab 400 mg, Pyridoxine tab 80 mg, Aspirin tab 100 mg and other supportive drugs for six months. The patient regained full health without any mental or motor disabilities.
Project description:BackgroundTuberculous pericarditis is a rare manifestation of tuberculosis infection. COVID-19 pandemic poses a challenge in detecting uncommon diseases.Case summaryA 47-year-old man was admitted with symptoms of COVID-19 infection. Rapid progression of cardiomegaly on radiograph with clinical deterioration were suggestive of pericardial tamponade. Urgent pericardiocentesis revealed haemoserous fluid, elevated adenosine deaminase, and positive tuberculous (TB) polymerase chain reaction (PCR). He was started on anti-TB therapy and Remdesivir with marked improvement of symptoms. Repeat echocardiogram and CT thorax showed resolution of pericardial fluid, and the patient remained well on discharge.DiscussionThis case highlights the difficulty in detecting a concomitant rare but important disease. The development of massive pericardial tamponade acutely is not pathognomonic for COVID-19, and a careful diagnostic process involving multi-modality imaging occurred to arrive at a diagnosis of tuberculosis.