Recurrent ascites due to constrictive pericarditis

Constrictive pericarditis as a cause of refractory ascites after liver transplantation: A case report

BACKGROUND

Refractory ascites is a rare complication following orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). The broad spectrum of differential diagnosis often leads to delay in diagnosis. Therapy depends on recognition and treatment of the underlying cause. Constrictive pericarditis is a condition characterized by clinical signs of right-sided heart failure. In the advanced stages of the disease, hepatic congestion leads to formation of ascites. In patients after OLT, cardiac etiology of ascites is easily overlooked and it requires a high degree of clinical suspicion.

CASE SUMMARY

We report a case of a 55-year-old man who presented with a refractory ascites three months after liver transplantation for alcoholic cirrhosis. Prior to transplantation the patient had a minimal amount of ascites. The transplant procedure and the early postoperative course were uneventful. Standard post-transplant work up failed to reveal any typical cause of refractory post-transplant ascites. The function of the graft was good. Apart from atrial fibrillation, cardiac status was normal. Eighteen months post transplantation the patient developed dyspnea and severe fatigue with peripheral edema. Ascites was still prominent. The presenting signs of right-sided heart failure were highly suggestive of cardiac etiology. Diagnostic paracentesis was suggestive of cardiac ascites, and further cardiac evaluation showed typical signs of constrictive pericarditis. Pericardiectomy was performed followed by complete resolution of ascites. On the follow-up the patient remained symptom-free with no signs of recurrent ascites and with normal function of the liver graft.

CONCLUSION

Refractory ascites following liver transplantation is a rare complication with many possible causes. Broad differential diagnosis needs to be considered.

Massive ascites of unknown origin

Massive ascites of unknown origin is an uncommon condition, which represent a diagnostic challenge. Patients with delayed diagnosis and treatment may have a poor prognosis. A 22-year-old female was referred to this hospital due to a 4-year progressive abdominal distension with massive ascites of unknown origin. By thorough investigations, she was eventually diagnosed as chronic calcified constrictive pericarditis. She received pericardiectomy and had an uneventful postoperative course. With a few day paracentesis, ascites did not progress any more. She was doing well at 5-month follow-up and has returned to work. Extracardiac manifestations, such as massive ascites and liver cirrhosis, were rare in patients with constrictive pericarditis. Pericardiectomy can be a radical solution for the treatment of chronic constrictive pericarditis. In order to avoid delayed diagnosis and treatment, physicians have to bear in mind this rare manifestation of chronic calcified constrictive pericarditis.

Ascites with elevated protein content as the presenting sign of constrictive pericardial disease

Two men, one 63 and one 52 years old, presented with ascites. Analysis of the ascitic fluid in both patients revealed a high protein content and an elevated serum-ascites gradient. Various studies showed the cause of the ascites to be constrictive pericardial disease. Total excision of their parietal pericardia relieved their symptoms, decreased their cardiac filling pressures, and increased their cardiac indices. These cases highlight the importance of suspecting pericardial constriction as an etiology for high-protein-count ascites.

Chronic constrictive pericarditis

Constrictive pericarditis (CP) is a rare clinical entity that can pose diagnostic problems. The diagnosis of CP requires a high degree of clinical suspicion. 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. We present a patient with unexplained dyspnea, recurrent right-side pleural effusion, and ascites. Analysis of the ascitic fluid revealed a high protein content and an elevated serum-ascites gradient. Echocardiography, computed tomography, and cardiac catheterization revealed the diagnosis of CP. He underwent complete pericardiectomy and to date has made a good recovery. The diagnosis of CP is often neglected by admitting physicians, who usually attribute the symptoms to another disease process. This case exemplifies the difficulty in diagnosing this condition, as well as the investigation required, and provides a discussion of the benefit and outcomes of prompt treatment.