Pericardial constriction medical therapy

Pericardial constriction is a progressive disease without spontaneous reversal of the pericardial thickening. Some patients can be medically managed for several years. Edema can be controlled with diuretics and slowing of the heart rate can maximize the diastolic filling time.

Most patients eventually develop significant debility from impaired cardiac output and elevated right and left sided filling pressures. Treatment is complete excision of the pericardium pericardiectomy. This operation is associated with a 12% mortality.