Pericardial constriction overview


 * Associate Editor-In-Chief: Atif Mohammad, M.D.

Overview
Pericardial constriction occurs when a fibrotic, adherent pericardium restricts diastolic filling of the heart. It mainly occurs after an episode of acute pericarditis, which may or may not have been symptomatic. There is fibrous scarring of the pericardium and usually fusion of the visceral and parietal pericardium.