A Contemporary Approach to the Diagnosis and Management of Constrictive Pericarditis

Pericarditis is the most common pericardial disease worldwide. Proper anti-inflammatory treatment can ensure a favourable long-term prognosis and low mortality. However, significant morbidity can still be attributed to its complications, including recurrent disease and progression to constrictive pericarditis (CP). CP occurs due to chronic pericardial inflammation, leading to pericardial scarring that impairs ventricular filling, and thereby, to heart failure (HF).1 Adler Y. Charron P. Imazio M. et al. 2015 ESC guidelines for the diagnosis and management of pericardial diseases: the Task Force for the Diagnosis and Management of Pericardial Diseases of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) endorsed by: the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS). Eur Heart J. 2015; 36: 2921-2964 Crossref PubMed Scopus (1211) Google Scholar A high index of suspicion is critical for diagnosing CP. Because some forms of CP are potentially reversible in the early stages, early diagnosis is essential.2 Welch T.D. Constrictive pericarditis: diagnosis, management and clinical outcomes. Heart. 2018; 104: 725-731 Crossref PubMed Scopus (64) Google Scholar This review aims to equip clinical cardiologists with a practical approach to diagnosing and treating CP.