CONSTRICTIVE PERICARDITIS AND ASCITES: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Constrictive Pericarditis as a Cause of Refractory Ascites

We report a 43-year-old man who presented for evaluation of ascites, varices, and hepatosplenomegaly. Initial labs were notable for normal platelets, mild liver synthetic dysfunction, and disproportionately elevated alkaline phosphatase. He was presumed to have underlying cirrhosis, and diuresis was attempted without success. A transjugular liver biopsy showed marked sinusoidal dilation without...

Chylous Ascites and Chylothorax Caused by Constrictive Pericarditis

The diagnostic approach of massive ascites in constrictive pericarditis.

Constrictive pericarditis.

A study has been made of 62 patients with constrictive pericarditis. There was considerable variation from the classical description of the disease. It is hoped that the findings may be of use, because both diagnosis and treatment can sometimes cause perplexity. The atiology and mode of onset of constrictive pericarditis will be considered first, since ,these have important effects on the final...

Constrictive Pericarditis

T HE essential pathology of constrictive pericarditis is the partial replacement of the epicardium and superficial myocardial layers by inelastic fibrous tissue. This interferes with diastolic filling of the ventricles and is recorded during right ventricular catheterization as a high end-diastolic plateau. In addition, the encasing and infiltrating lesion interferes with contractility and ther...