Constrictive pericarditis medical therapy

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

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Overview

Pericardial constriction is a progressive disease without spontaneous reversal of the pericardial thickening. Some patients can be medically managed for several years. Edema can be controlled with diuretics and slowing of the heart rate can maximize the diastolic filling time. Most patients eventually develop significant debility from impaired cardiac output and elevated right and left sided filling pressures.