Health Encyclopedia

Pericarditis - constrictive

Definition

Constrictive pericarditis is a process where the sac-like covering of the heart (the pericardium) becomes thickened and scarred.

Related conditions include:

Alternative Names

Constrictive pericarditis

Causes

Most of the time, constrictive pericarditis occurs due to things that cause inflammation to develop around the heart, such as:

Heart surgery
Radiation therapy to the chest
Tuberculosis

Less common causes include:

Abnormal fluid buildup in the covering of the heart. This may occur because of infection or as a complication of surgery.
Mesothelioma

The condition may also develop without a clear cause.

It is rare in children.

Symptoms

When you have constrictive pericarditis, the inflammation causes the covering of the heart to become thick and rigid. This makes it hard for the heart to stretch properly when it beats. As a result, the heart chambers don't fill up with enough blood. Blood backs up behind the heart, causing heart swelling and other symptoms of heart failure.

Symptoms of chronic constrictive pericarditis include:

Difficulty breathing (dyspnea) that develops slowly and gets worse
Fatigue
Long-term swelling (edema) of the legs and ankles
Swollen abdomen
Weakness

Exams and Tests

Constrictive pericarditis is very hard to diagnose. Signs and symptoms are similar to other conditions such as restrictive cardiomyopathy and cardiac tamponade. Your health care provider will need to rule out these conditions when making a diagnosis.

A physical exam may show that your neck veins stick out. This indicates increased pressure around the heart. The provider may note weak or distant heart sounds when listening to your chest with a stethoscope. A knocking sound may also be heard.

The physical exam may also reveal liver swelling and fluid in the belly area.

The following tests may be ordered:

Chest MRI
Chest CT scan
Chest x-ray
Coronary angiography or cardiac catheterization
ECG
Echocardiogram

Treatment

The goal of treatment is to improve heart function. The cause must be identified and treated. Depending on the source of the problem, treatment may include anti-inflammatory agents, antibiotics, medicines for tuberculosis, or other treatments.

Diuretics ("water pills") are often used in small doses to help the body remove excess fluid. Pain medicines may be needed for discomfort.

Some people may need to cut down on their activity. A low-sodium diet may also be recommended.

If other methods do not control the problem, surgery called a pericardiectomy may be needed. This involves cutting or removing the scarring and part of the sac-like covering of the heart.

Outlook (Prognosis)

Constrictive pericarditis may be life threatening if untreated.

However, surgery to treat the condition has a high risk for complications. For this reason, it is most often done in people who have severe symptoms.

Possible Complications

Complications may include:

Heart failure
Pulmonary edema
Liver and kidney dysfunction
Scarring of the heart muscle

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your provider if you have symptoms of constrictive pericarditis.

Prevention

In some cases, constrictive pericarditis is not preventable.

However, conditions that can lead to constrictive pericarditis should be properly treated.

References

Hoit BD, Oh JK. Pericardial diseases. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 68.

Jouriles NJ. Pericardial and myocardial disease. In: Walls RM, Hockberger RS, Gausche-Hill M, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 68.

Lewinter MM, Cremer PC, Klein AL. Pericardial diseases. In: Libby P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, Tomaselli GF, Bhatt DL, Solomon SD, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 86.

Review Date:5/8/2022
Reviewed By:Michael A. Chen, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington Medical School, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997-A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

The Agency for Health Care Administration (Agency) and this website do not claim the information on, or referred to by, this site is error free. This site may include links to websites of other government agencies or private groups. Our Agency and this website do not control such sites and are not responsible for their content. Reference to or links to any other group, product, service, or information does not mean our Agency or this website approves of that group, product, service, or information.

Additionally, while health information provided through this website may be a valuable resource for the public, it is not designed to offer medical advice. Talk with your doctor about medical care questions you may have.