Localized pericardial constriction resulting in a "dumbbell" heart.

We describe an unusual case of a young man presenting with calcific constrictive pericarditis. The patient had a history of restrictive cardiomyopathy and pericardial effusion during infancy and received antituberculous treatment. Investigations revealed the presence of thickened pericardium and a thickened calcific constrictive band around the atrioventricular groove posteriorly and over the infundibulum anteriorly. Intraoperatively, the band caused the heart to have a "dumbbell" appearance. A pericardiectomy was performed along with excision of the constricting band. The patient had an uneventful recovery.