Analysis Of Clinical Diagnosis And Management Of Chronic Constrictive Pericarditis In Fifty-one Patients

Objective: To analyze the clinical diagnosis and management ofconstrictive pericarditis (CP).Methods: Patients diagnosed as having CP by postoperation pathologicalexamination in Guangxi Medical University First Affiliated Hospital fromFebruary2006to February2011were included in this analysis. Clinicalpresentations, diagnosis, etiology, managementand prognosis were studied.Results:①Fifty-one patients were included, with the average age of47.6years.②All the patients had an increased pressure of superior vena cava system.③15.68%patients were misdiagnosed before admission.④96.07%patientswere diagnosed as having CP by echocardiography.⑤Etiology: the diagnosis oftuberculosis were establishedin57.45%of the patients, the diagnosis oftuberculosis reduce significantly after the2009years.⑥Treatment: Postoperation mortality was2.12%. Postoperation complications occurred in31.91%patients. In the operated patients,74.51%had improved cardiac functionat dischargeConclusion: Tuberculosis is still the most common cause of CP.Pericardiectomy is the best approach firstly chosen to cure CP. The diagnosis ofCP will be easier if great attention is payed to the increased pressure of superiorvena cava system. Echocardiography is the most important diagnostic methodfor CP. The independent correlative factors of postoperative complicationsincluded postoperative cardiac function, operation method, the presence ofpreoperative atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter.