Constrictive pericarditis after myocardial infarction. Sequela of anticoagulant-induced hemopericardium.

Hemopericardium developed following adequate (and not excessive) anticoagulation in a patient with acute transmural anterior myocardial infarction and an early pericardial friction rub. Drainage of a bloody effusion by pericardiocentesis did not prevent progression to constrictive pericarditis within one year. The clinical features of this case and of the only two other similar occurrences reported in the medical literature are described and lead to a discussion of therapeutic and preventive measures.