Constrictive pericarditis surgery

Stenotic pericarditis is caused by chronic pericarditis. At this time, the patient will have pericardial thickening, adhesions, and even calcification. This will lead to severe restrictions on the diastole and contraction of the heart, cause a decline in heart function, and cause blood circulation disorders throughout the body. At this time, timely treatment must be carried out. There are many treatment methods, the most common of which is surgical treatment.

Constrictive pericarditis surgery

Early pericardiectomy should be performed to avoid the development of cardiac cachexia, severe liver dysfunction, myocardial atrophy, etc. Usually, surgery should be performed once pericardial infection is controlled and tuberculosis activity has ceased, and medication should be continued for 1 year after surgery. For patients with known or suspected tuberculous constrictive pericarditis, anti-tuberculosis treatment should be given for 1 to 4 weeks before surgery. If the diagnosis is confirmed, medication should be continued for 6 to 12 months after pericardiectomy. Some scholars believe that the preoperative use of digitalis can reduce arrhythmias and heart failure and reduce mortality. For those who cannot be treated surgically, the main treatment is diuresis and supportive care, and if necessary, removal of pleural and abdominal effusions.

Constrictive pericarditis prognosis

Constrictive pericarditis is a chronic disease that progressively worsens. It often causes disability or death due to failure, ascites and peripheral edema or serious cardiac complications. Most patients can achieve satisfactory results if thorough pericardial dissection surgery is performed early. A small number of patients have a poor prognosis due to long course of illness, obvious myocardial atrophy and cardiogenic cirrhosis.

Prevention of constrictive pericarditis

Active prevention and treatment of acute pericarditis can avoid the development of pericardial constriction, such as early incision and drainage of purulent pericarditis, regular anti-tuberculosis treatment of tuberculous pericarditis, and enhanced protection of the heart during radiotherapy. Once constrictive pericarditis develops, surgery should be performed as soon as possible while actively treating the primary disease.