A rapid evolution from effusive-constrictive to constrictive pericarditis.

We present a case of a 69-year-old woman with constrictive pericarditis preceded by effusive-constrictive pericarditis. Echocardiography on admission revealed a mild pericardial effusion, pericardial thickening and a constrictive physiology in the absence of RV pressure/volume overload suggesting effusive-constrictive pericarditis. Echocardiographic follow-up showed gradual disappearance of the effusion within one month and an important thickening of the visceral and parietal pericardium up to 9 mm. Respiratory variation of the mitral and tricuspid inflow, prominent diastolic septum shift and high mitral annular TDI-velocities were indicative of constrictive pericarditis. Subsequent left/right heart catheterisation 3 months after the initial diagnosis confirmed constrictive pericarditis with elevated diastolic pressures equalized in the four heart chambers, square root sign, respiratory discordant change of the left and right systolic pressures and an inspiratory increase of the right atrial pressure. The patient remained symptomatic under treatment with aspirin and diuretics. A parietal and visceral pericardectomy was successfully performed with a favourable clinical evolution.