Constrictive pericarditis – New methods in the diagnosis of an old disease: A case report

Abstract Constrictive pericarditis is a rare clinical entity that can pose diagnostic problems. The gold standard for diagnosis is cardiac catheterization with analysis of intracavitary pressure curves, which are high and, in end-diastole, equal in all chambers. The diastolic profile in both ventric...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Revista portuguesa de cardiologia (English ed.) 2012-10, Vol.31 (10), p.677-682
Main Authors: Silva, Doroteia, Sargento, Luís, Varela, Manuel Gato, Lopes, M.G, Brito, Dulce, Madeira, Hugo
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cardiovascular
Constrictive pericarditis
Diagnosis
Diagnóstico
Imagem
Imaging
Pericardite constritiva
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Summary:Abstract Constrictive pericarditis is a rare clinical entity that can pose diagnostic problems. The gold standard for diagnosis is cardiac catheterization with analysis of intracavitary pressure curves, which are high and, in end-diastole, equal in all chambers. The diastolic profile in both ventricles presents the classic dip-and-plateau pattern and the difference between the diastolic pressures of both ventricles should not exceed 3–5 mmHg. Unfortunately, these traditional criteria are not always present and in fact the sensitivity and specificity of equalization of diastolic pressures are relatively low and of limited value in individual patients. This highlights the need to use new cardiac imaging techniques to resolve any doubts. The case described here is a good example.
ISSN:2174-2049
2174-2049
DOI:10.1016/j.repce.2012.07.008