Atrio-ventricular regurgitations in constrictive pericarditis: incidence and post-operative outcome

We studied 33 surgically proven cases of constrictive pericarditis during the period 1989-1991 by color Doppler echocardiography and angiography to look for incidence and postoperative outcome of atrioventricular regurgitation. The mean age was 27.2 + 16.5 years (21 males, 12 females). There was a very high incidence of mitral (79%, trivial in 13, mild in 11 and moderate in 2) and tricuspid (73%, trivial in 7, mild and moderate in 6 each and severe in 5) regurgitation. There was good correlation between 'color Doppler' and angiography for detection and quantification of these regurgitations (r = 0.89 for mitral and 0.76 for tricuspid regurgitation, respectively). There were no preoperative clinical or hemodynamic predictors for the incidence or severity of these regurgitations. Immediate postoperative (7-10 days) evaluation by color Doppler did not show any change in these regurgitations. A follow-up study (by color Doppler and angiography) in 18 patients at a mean period of 229 + 105 days revealed regression of these regurgitations by at least 1 grade in 50% of patients. Patients with persisting regurgitations had persisting hemodynamic abnormality and relatively longer duration of symptoms. The presence of atrio-ventricular regurgitations should not be taken as evidence favoring diagnosis of restrictive cardiomyopathy and against that of constrictive pericarditis. The mechanism of these regurgitations is not clear to us.

Deceptive liver histology delays diagnosis of cardiac ascites

Cardiac ascites is a rare condition. Diagnosis is aided by liver histology, which characteristically shows diffuse hepatic congestion affecting the centrilobular region. In our case of refractory ascites due to constrictive pericarditis, diagnosis was delayed because centribular hepatic congestion was absent histologically. Contrary to numerous published reports, diffuse hepatic congestion is not uniformly present in cardiac ascites. Constrictive pericarditis is curable and should be considered in all cases of unexplained ascites, regardless of atypical hepatic histology.

Constrictive pericarditis in a mare: attempted treatment by partial pericardiectomy

Chronic constrictive pericarditis was diagnosed in a 6-year-old Thoroughbred mare based on the clinical findings of right congestive heart failure, hyperechoic pericardium without pericardial effusion, and a dip-and-plateau shape of the right ventricular pressure curve with equilibration of the diastolic pressures in all cardiac chambers. Treatment was attempted by partial pericardiectomy using a right lateral thoracotomy approach. Because of severe epicardial involvement recurrence of the constrictive pathology was noted 6 weeks after the surgical procedure. However, in selected cases in which the disease process is limited to the pericardium, partial pericardiectomy may offer a mode of therapy in horses suffering from constrictive pericarditis.

Constrictive pericarditis without typical haemodynamic changes as a cause of oedema formation due to protein-losing enteropathy

A 41-year-old man presented with physical signs of leg oedema and a laboratory value of decreased serum albumin of 2.4 g.dl-1. Loss of protein via the gastrointestinal tract was demonstrated by an increased faecal excretion of 51-chromium-labelled-albumin and by elevated stool clearance of alpha 1-antitrypsin. No anatomical lesions or intestinal disease were found to explain this protein loss. Constrictive pericarditis was suspected as the cause of protein-losing enteropathy but could not be confirmed by right heart catheterization, in which normal filling pressures and no sign of 'dip and plateau' pressure pattern were found. However, magnetic resonance imaging clearly demonstrated a thickening of the pericardium over the right heart and a tubular-shaped right ventricle as signs of constrictive pericarditis. Peripheral oedema disappeared and serum protein concentration returned to normal after pericardectomy. This demonstrates that moderate pericardial constriction not resulting in discernible pressure abnormalities in the right heart can be associated with protein-losing enteropathy and thus result in hypoproteinaemic peripheral oedema. In this condition a morphological investigation by magnetic resonance imaging is of importance in order not to miss the diagnosis of a potentially treatable disease.

Pathogenesis of edema in constrictive pericarditis. Studies of body water and sodium, renal function, hemodynamics, and plasma hormones before and after pericardiectomy

BACKGROUND

The pathogenesis of sodium and water accumulation in chronic constrictive pericarditis is not well understood and may differ from that in patients with chronic congestive heart failure due to myocardial disease. This study was undertaken to investigate some of the mechanisms.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Using standard techniques, the hemodynamics, water and electrolyte spaces, renal function, and plasma concentrations of hormones were measured in 16 patients with untreated constrictive pericarditis and were measured again in eight patients after pericardiectomy. The average hemodynamic measurements were as follows: cardiac output, 1.98 l/min/m2; right atrial pressure, 22.9 mm Hg; pulmonary wedge pressure, 24.2 mm Hg; and mean pulmonary artery pressure 30.2 mm Hg. The systemic and pulmonary vascular resistances (36.3 +/- 2.5 and 3.2 +/- 0.3 mm Hg.min.m2/l, respectively) were increased. Significant increases occurred in total body water (36%), extracellular volume (81%), plasma volume (53%), and exchangeable sodium (63%). The renal plasma flow was only moderately decreased (49%), and the glomerular filtration rate was normal. Significant increases also occurred in plasma concentrations of norepinephrine (3.6 times normal), renin activity (7.2 time normal), aldosterone (3.4 times normal), cortisol (1.4 times normal), growth hormone (21.8 times normal), and atrial natriuretic peptide (5 times normal). The ratio of left atrial to aortic diameter measured by echocardiography was only minimally increased (1.29 +/- 0.04), indicating that in constrictive pericarditis the atria are prevented from expanding. The studies repeated after pericardiectomy in the eight patients showed that all measurements returned toward normal.

CONCLUSIONS

The restricted distensibility of the atria, in constrictive pericarditis, limits the secretion of atrial natriuretic factor and, thus, reduces its natriuretic and diuretic effects. This results in retention of water and sodium greater than that occurring in patients with edema from myocardial disease. The arterial pressure is maintained more by the expansion of the blood volume than by an increase in the peripheral vascular resistance.

[Value of magnetic resonance imaging in 2 cases of annular constriction of the ventricles]

Chronic pericarditis can take the form of localised annular bands constricting the atrioventricular grooves, the pulmonary infundibulum and, rarely, the atria. The authors report two cases of pericardial bands surrounding the ventricles and involving the atrioventricular groove resulting in a biloculation of the left ventricle. One case was complicated by adiastole and one by mitral regurgitation due to involvement of the posterior mitral leaflet. Magnetic resonance imaging gave precise definition of these bands and of their extension into the myocardium. This investigation was a valuable complement before surgery of the localised constriction.

[Mechanical valve thrombosis in the tricuspid position--reoperative management of 2 cases]

Because valve thrombosis occurred after the tricuspid valve replacement with the mechanical valve, we performed replacement of the mechanical valve with the bovine pericardial valve in two cases. Case 1: The patient, at 13 years old, received open-heart surgery to correct infundibular stenosis. At 23 years of age, decortication and tricuspid valve replacement (TVR) with a phi 31 mm Björk-Shiley valve were performed due to constrictive pericarditis and tricuspid regurgitation developed after the initial operation. Thrombosis of the mechanical valve occurred after the TVR. Treatment with urokinase for the thrombolytic therapy failed to improve the valve opening. Finally 12 years after the TVR, replacement of the mechanical valve with a phi 27 mm Carpentier-Edwards bovine pericardial valve was performed. Case 2: The patient, at 21 years old, received open-heart surgery to close an atrial septal defect. At 40 years of age, mitral and tricuspid valve replacements were performed because regurgitation developed in both valves. The mitral and tricuspid valves were replaced with phi 27 mm and 31 mm St. Jude Medical valves, respectively. Thrombosis of the mechanical valve used for the TVR occurred 2 months after the replacement. The mechanical valve was replaced with a phi 27 mm Carpentier-Edwards bovine pericardial valve. In both cases, subjective symptoms improved and prosthetic valve complications did not occur after re-replacement with the bovine pericardial valve. These cases suggested that for TVR a bovine pericardial valve of sufficient size would be better to select than a mechanical valve.

Cellular immunodeficiency in protein-losing enteropathy. Predominant reduction of CD3+ and CD4+ lymphocytes

Cellular immunological abnormalities were studied in a patient with protein-losing enteropathy associated with constrictive pericarditis. Analysis of lymphocyte subpopulations in peripheral blood showed lymphopenia with a decrease of CD3+ and CD4+ T cells, whereas CD8+ lymphocytes, B cells and NK cells were within the normal range. Fecal loss of lymphocytes as a cause of lymphopenia was evidenced by a marked excretion of 111-indium-labeled peripheral blood mononuclear cells via stool. Proliferative responses against several mitogens were severely reduced as was in vitro IgG production. Delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction against a variety of antigens was absent. Vaccination with tick-borne encephalitis virus, used for primary immunization, and with the recall antigen tetanus toxoid resulted in a blunted antibody response. After pericardectomy, the severity of enteric protein loss declined, serum immunoglobulin levels returned to the normal range, and total lymphocytes and CD3+ and CD4+ counts increased but remained low even 12 months after surgery. Fecal loss of lymphocytes was found to be reduced after pericardectomy, but was higher than that seen in a disease control patient with active inflammatory bowel disease. In vitro immunoglobulin production returned to normal, DTH could be demonstrated against purified protein derivative and proteus antigen, but mitogen-driven blastogenic response of lymphocytes remained low. Revaccination with tick-borne encephalitis and tetanus toxoid antigens seven months after surgery resulted in a dramatic increase of serum levels of antibodies against both antigens, comparable to that seen in healthy control individuals.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[A case of chronic constrictive pericarditis with rheumatic valvular heart disease successfully treated by surgery]

Chronic constrictive pericarditis and rheumatic valvular heart disease are common surgical conditions, but the simultaneous occurrence of both is extremely rare and poses problems in diagnosis and treatment. A 47-year-old male with constrictive pericarditis and rheumatic valvular heart disease was successfully treated with operation. The valvular dysfunction had included aortic, mitral and tricuspid regurgitations. He had also complicated severe hepatic dysfunction due to the cardiac constriction and the secondary tricuspid valve regurgitation. With the aid of cardiopulmonary bypass radical pericardiectomy was performed for almost all cardiac surfaces including that of both ventricles, the right atrium, and the venae cavae. After the pericardiectomy, aortic valvular replacement, mitral and tricuspid valvular annuloplasties were performed. Postoperative course was uneventful and the hemodynamic abnormalities (elevated right atrial and ventricular end diastolic pressures) as well as the depressed hepatic functions were dramatically improved postoperatively.

Computed tomography of hepatic venous hypertension: the reticulated-mosaic pattern

A reticulated-mosaic pattern of the liver was identified on contrast-enhanced computed tomography in 4 of 20 patients with constrictive pericarditis or congestive heart failure. Reflux of contrast into a distended inferior vena cava and the hepatic veins was identified in 3 of the 4 patients. This abnormal enhancement pattern combined with hepatic venous or caval reflux of contrast indicates the presence of hepatic venous hypertension, and should not be mistaken for other abnormalities that may result in inhomogeneous hepatic enhancement.

Myocarditis and myocardial interstitial fibrosis in constrictive pericarditis--an extended pathological spectrum?

We performed endomyocardial biopsy in six patients with constrictive pericarditis, revealing the presence of myocarditis and myocardial interstitial fibrosis in all regardless of the endocardial thickening. These findings suggest that the presence of endomyocardial involvement in the setting of restrictive heart disease should not be deemed specific for endomyocardial fibrosis when the clinical evaluation suggests constrictive pericarditis.

[Extracardial manifestations in constrictive pericarditis]

Constrictive pericarditis is a slowly progressive disabling disease. The diagnosis is easily overlooked because of the striking extracardial signs and symptoms such as abdominal discomfort, general fatigue, cachexia, ascites and oedema. We describe 7 patients with these symptoms in whom the diagnosis was missed during 0.5-17 years. The decisive clue for correct diagnosis appeared to be the raised central venous pressure. This proves the importance of an accurate physical examination. Other findings were: ascites (7/7), hepatomegaly (7/7), oedema (6/7), narrow pulse pressure (less than or equal to 35 mmHg) (5/7), ECG abnormalities (7/7) and pericardial calcifications on the chest X-ray (5/7). In addition we found slightly raised liver enzymes and a protein-losing enteropathy leading to low serum protein levels. These abnormalities are all explained by the alterations in haemodynamics and lymph flow. The only curative therapy is surgical decortication of the heart.

Chylous ascites should suggest constrictive pericarditis even in a patient with cirrhosis

Chylous ascites, a milky, high triglyceride fluid is usually found in patients with lymphatic obstruction from malignancy. We describe a patient with cirrhosis who developed constrictive pericarditis and chylous ascites. Long-standing portal hypertension compounded by elevated central venous pressure provided several pathophysiologic contributions to the formation of the chylous ascites. Chylous ascites even in a cirrhotic requires prompt assessment for conditions leading to elevated central venous pressure.

Constrictive pericarditis causing a positive TI-201 SPECT stress test for myocardial ischemia

A case of constritive pericarditis was demonstrated by a positive thallium SPECT stress test for myocardial ischemia. After pericardiectomy, the repeat thallium stress test was normal. The disappearance of the criteria for a positive test suggests that constrictive pericarditis can cause myocardial ischemia, which can be demonstrated by thallium SPECT stress testing.

[Pulmonary circulation in constrictive pericarditis]

Certain indices of pulmonary haemodynamics were determined at rest in 39 patients with constrictive pericarditis. The most frequent anomaly was raised value of total pulmonary resistance (in 82% of cases) and, in a lower percent, raised pulmonary vascular resistance. The systolic pressure in the pulmonary artery was raised in 30.8% of the patients, reaching values regarded as low or medium degree hypertension. In only 2 cases the systolic pressure in the pulmonary artery was 100 mm Hg or more. The systolic pressure in the pulmonary artery showed a slight positive correlation with the end-diastolic pressure in the left ventricle, and the subgroup with pulmonary hypertension had higher average values of the end-diastolic pressure in the left ventricle than patients with normal pressure in the pulmonary circulation (means = 21.0 +/- 5.7 vs 15.2 +/- 6.5 mm Hg). These results show a significant role of increased filling pressure of the left ventricle in the mechanism of pulmonary hypertension in patients with constrictive pericarditis.

[An operative case of chronic constrictive pericarditis with silicosis and lumbar caries]

We reported a case of chronic constrictive pericarditis complicated with silicosis and lumbar caries, who was improved by the operation. The patient was a 65 year old man whose past occupation was a mason. He was admitted to our hospital with chronic heart failure on March, 1986. Atypical silicosis was diagnosed from the occupational history and the histopathological silicotic changes in mediastinal lymph nodes and fibrosis of alveolar wall. The diagnosis of chronic constrictive pericarditis was made from chest roentgenogram and intracardiac catheterization. The symptoms of chronic constrictive pericarditis was improved by the pericardial resection. The exact pathogenesis of the chronic constrictive pericarditis could not be identified from the histology of pericardial tissue, but tuberculosis was suspected because of the past history of tuberculous pleurisy and the recurrence of lumbar caries.

Right atrial thrombosis: association with constrictive pericarditis

We report a 73-year-old man with right atrial thrombosis associated with both constrictive pericarditis and persistent sinus rhythms of the heart who successfully underwent thrombectomy and pericardiectomy.

[Hepatitis B in established cardiac cirrhosis--a rare indication for liver transplantation]

A 34 year old patient was diagnosed as suffering from congestive cirrhosis due to constrictive pericarditis 18 years ago. A terminal dystrophic episode of additionally acquired chronic aggressive hepatitis B led to rapidly progressive liver failure. Orthotopic liver transplantation was carried out. 10 months after transplantation the patient is alive and well. Presence of HBsAg and HBcAg can again be demonstrated in the liver graft, however, without histologic evidence of hepatitis. Problems of prognosis after liver transplantation for hepatitis B virus infection are discussed.