Atypical Chest X-Ray Calcification in an Idiopathic Constrictive Pericarditis Case. (10th July 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Coşkun, Uğur; Canbolat, İsmail Polat; Sinan, Ümit Yaşar; Bostan, Cem; Kılıçkesmez, Kadriye; Yıldız, Ahmet; Başkurt, Murat; Turhan Çağlar, Fatma Nihan; Hatemi, Alican; Yıldız, Cenk Eray; Cöhcen, Sadettin; Gürmen, Aziz Tevfik; Küçükoğlu, Mehmet Serdar
• Other Names: Kataoka H. Academic Editor.; Letsas K. P. Academic Editor.; Nikus K. Academic Editor.; Peteiro J. Academic Editor.; Richter D. Academic Editor.; Snyder C. S. Academic Editor.; Srichai M. B. Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Case reports in cardiology. Volume 2013(2013)
• Publication Date: 2013-07-10
• Subjects: Cardiology -- Periodicals; 616.12005
• DOI: 10.1155/2013/609610
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2090-6404

Abstract

Abstract : Constrictive pericarditis is an uncommon cause of heart failure. It is a clinical entity caused by thickening, fibrosis, and/or calcification of the pericardium. We present a 50-year-old female patient who was admitted to our institution with a 6-month history of progressive dyspnea on exertion, abdominal swelling, and lower extremity edema. Her chest X-ray revealed an oblique linear calcification in the cardiac silhouette. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed biatrial enlargement. Left ventricular size and systolic function were normal. Cardiac computed tomography revealed the pericardial thickening (>5 mm) and heavy calcification in left atrioventricular groove. Simultaneous right and left heart catheterization showed elevation and equalization of right-sided and left-sided diastolic filling pressures, with characteristic dip, and plateau. Pericardiectomy was performed which revealed a thick, fibrous, calcified, and densely adherent pericardium constricting the heart. The postoperative period was uneventful and was in NYHA functional class I after 3 months.