A girl with right heart failure related to effusive-constrictive pericarditis

Abstract

Effusive-constrictive pericarditis is characterized by constriction of visceral pericardium with a coexisting tense pericardial effusion. We report a 10-year-old girl with right heart failure due to effusive-constrictive pericarditis. She did not present typical features, such as cardiac tamponade or thickening of pericardium (visceral and parietal), but constrictive physiology was observed by echocardiography and cardiac computed tomography. These noninvasive imaging modalities provided clinical clues to make precise diagnosis. The patient underwent surgical drainage of pericardial fluid and visceral pericardiectomy, which resulted in improved hemodynamics and symptoms.