Calcific Constrictive Pericarditis: Is It Still with Us?
Background: The presence of pericardial calcification on a plain radiograph strongly suggests constrictive pericarditis in patients with heart failure. However, calcific constrictive pericarditis is considered rare in the United States since tuberculosis incidence has decreased, and doubt has therefore been raised about the importance of this radiologic finding in modern cardiovascular practice. Objective: To determine the clinical and prognostic significance of pericardial calcification on radiography in patients with constrictive pericarditis. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: Tertiary referral center. Patients: A consecutive series of 135 patients (mean age ± SD, 56 ± 16 years) who from 1985 through 1995 had constrictive pericarditis confirmed surgically (n = 133) or by autopsy (n = 2). Patients were divided into two groups: those with pericardial calcification on chest radiography (group I) and those without (group II). Measurements: Clinical and diagnostic findings were
