The disease often represents the end stage of an undiagnosed viral pericarditis. Traumatic haemopericardium may evolve to constrictive pericarditis. It may be a complication of open heart surgery.
Chronic constrictive pericarditis prevents ventricles from proper filling in diastole. This causes decreased cardiac output. A compensatory tachycardia is seen. There is corresponding increase in right atrial pressure and right ventricular diastolic pressure. There is also elevation of central venous pressure. This venous hypertension may produce peripheral oedema, hepatic enlargement and ascites.
The disease is usually seen in second and third decade. Fatigue and dyspnoea on exertion is there. Oedematous swelling of the feet and abdominal enlargement also found. Dilatation of peripheral veins is there. The pulse pressure is normally decreased and a paradoxic pulse is found in a small percentage of cases.
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Ischaemic Heart Disease
Causes and Symptoms of Aortic Insufficiency
Aortic Stenosis
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