Pericarditis - constrictive

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Constrictive pericarditis

Pericardium

Pericardium

Constrictive pericarditis

The goal of treatment is to improve heart function. The cause must be identified and treated. This may include antibiotics, anti-tuberculosis medications, or other treatments.

Diuretics are commonly prescribed in small doses to gradually decrease excess fluid. Analgesics may be needed to control pain. Decreased activity may be recommended for some cases, and a low-sodium diet may be recommended.

The definitive treatment is surgical pericardiectomy -- cutting or removing the scarring and part of the pericardium.

Constrictive pericarditis may be life-threatening if untreated. The condition's surgical treatment (pericardiectomy), on the other hand, has a relatively high complication rate and is usually reserved for severely symptomatic cases.

For patients with radiation-induced constrictive pericarditis the long-term results of pericardiectomy are not as helpful as was once expected.

• Cardiac tamponade
• Heart failure
• Pulmonary edema
• Myocardial fibrosis (scarring of the heart muscle)
• Damage to the coronary arteries

Call your health care provider if symptoms indicate constrictive pericarditis may be present.

Review Date: 05/31/2006
Reviewed By: Glenn Gandelman, MD, MPH, Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.