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Constrictive pericarditis after heart transplantation: a case report.

ABSTRACT: Background:Constrictive pericarditis (CP) is a disease characterized by inflammation, progressive fibrosis, and thickening of the pericardium. Constrictive pericarditis after heart transplantation (HT) is a rare phenomenon, with a reported incidence of 1.4-3.9%. It is an important clinical problem which shares similar clinical features with entities such as restrictive cardiomyopathy. Therefore, it poses diagnostic challenges and therapeutic dilemmas even for experienced clinicians. Case summary:A 53-year-old patient developed a zoster infection with pericardial effusion 9?months after HT for idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. Two months later, he presented with leg oedema and ascites and was treated by diuretics for volume overload. He was readmitted 8?months later with features of right heart failure. Multimodal imaging investigations were suggestive of CP. He successfully recovered after a radical pericardiectomy. Discussion:Constrictive pericarditis is a rare complication in HT. Heart transplant recipients (HTR) with a history of post-operative pericardial effusion, or with rejection episodes are at high risk of developing CP. Differentiating CP from other conditions that cause apparent congestive heart failure in HTR is challenging. Management of CP is mainly surgical pericardiectomy.

SUBMITTER: Tchana-Sato V

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7501930 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Constrictive pericarditis after heart transplantation: a case report.

Tchana-Sato Vincent V Ancion Arnaud A Ansart François F Defraigne Jean Olivier JO

European heart journal. Case reports 20200728 4

<h4>Background</h4>Constrictive pericarditis (CP) is a disease characterized by inflammation, progressive fibrosis, and thickening of the pericardium. Constrictive pericarditis after heart transplantation (HT) is a rare phenomenon, with a reported incidence of 1.4-3.9%. It is an important clinical problem which shares similar clinical features with entities such as restrictive cardiomyopathy. Therefore, it poses diagnostic challenges and therapeutic dilemmas even for experienced clinicians.<h4>C ...[more]

PMID: 32974473

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Project description:BackgroundPurulent bacterial pericarditis (PBP) is a highly lethal infection of the pericardial space that arises as a complication of infective illnesses. Purulent bacterial pericarditis remains a diagnostic challenge given its non-specific clinical and investigative features and carries exceedingly high mortality rates due to fulminant sepsis and morbidity including constrictive pericarditis in survivors. We present our management of cardiac tamponade and subsequent constrictive pericarditis due to Actinomyces meyeri PBP.Case summaryA 53-year-old Caucasian male presented with acute New York Heart Association Class IV dyspnoea and chest discomfort, in the context of multiple hospital presentations over the preceding 8 weeks due to presumed recurrent viral pericarditis. On this admission, initial transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) demonstrated a large asymmetric pericardial effusion for which he underwent urgent pericardiocentesis. Serial TTE post-pericardiocentesis, however, demonstrated effusion re-accumulation and effusive-constrictive pericarditis, confirmed on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Fluid culture was positive for A. meyeri. He was diagnosed with PBP, but his condition deteriorated despite appropriate intravenous antibiotic therapy, necessitating semi-urgent surgical pericardiectomy. He recovered well and was discharged on Day 10 post-operatively.DiscussionUnlike uncomplicated acute viral or idiopathic pericarditis, PBP portends a very poor prognosis if unrecognized and untreated. Diagnostic challenges persist given its rarity in modern clinical practice; however, PBP should be considered in cases of seemingly recurrent pericarditis. Multi-modal cardiac imaging and careful analysis of pericardial fluid including cultures and lactate dehydrogenase/serum ratios may assist in earlier recognition. In this case, source control and symptom relief were achieved only with combined intravenous antibiotics, surgical evacuation, and pericardiectomy.

Dataset Information

Constrictive pericarditis after heart transplantation: a case report.

Publications

Constrictive pericarditis after heart transplantation: a case report.

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