Etiology of Constructive Pericarditis
Constrictive pericarditis is a rare pericardial disease. It is characterized by thickened, inelastic pericardium which hinders normal heart physiology. It may result in diastolic heart failure. There are 3 major causes of constrictive pericarditis: 1. Idiopathic: Idiopathic constrictive pericarditis does not have well-defined etiology. However, it may be associated with prior bacterial or viral pericarditis. Mycobacterium tuberculosis is also an important causative agent. 2. Radiations: Radiotherapy to treat malignancies of breast, blood etc. may result in constrictive pericarditis. Radiations induce microvascular injury, endothelial dysfunction, and platelet aggregation. 3. Cardiothoracic Surgery Manipulation or damaging of pericardium during a cardiothoracic intervention may cause constrictive pericarditis. Reference: https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/157096-overview#a5 Image via: https://www.nature.com/articles/nrcardio.2014.100
