[Management of pericarditis and pericardial effusion, constrictive and effusive-constrictive pericarditis]

Utilising uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for pericardial window: A 12-year single-centre experience in the diagnosis and treatment of pericardial effusion

INTRODUCTION

Uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (Uni-VATS) is an effective minimally invasive technique for pericardial drainage, biopsy and window creation in cases of pericardial effusion (PE).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This retrospective study evaluated 73 patients with PE who underwent pericardial window procedures between 2012 and 2024. Intraoperative and post-operative data related to Uni-VATS were assessed.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 53.79 ± 17.79 years (10-82 years), with 34 (46.6%) females and 39 (53.4%) males. The mean volume of pericardial fluid drained after window creation was 446.23 ± 199.81 cc (75-1100 cc). The mean operation time was 42.87 ± 12.79 min, and chest drain removal occurred after an average of 1.8 ± 1.2 days. The mean duration until discharge or referral to the follow-up clinic was 5.98 ± 2.14 days. In addition to the pericardial window procedure, pleural biopsy was performed in 12 patients, mediastinal mass biopsy in eight patients and wedge resection for parenchymal nodules in six patients. Microbiologic and virologic cultures of the fluids were negative in all cases. Among the 41 patients with benign cytology, pericardial biopsy results indicated tuberculosis in four patients (5.4%), amyloidosis in one patient (1.3%) and chronic or subacute nonspecific pericarditis in the remaining patients.

CONCLUSION

Uni-VATS is a novel and safe technique that may be the preferred choice for pericardial window due to its diagnostic and therapeutic efficacy, ability to perform simultaneous procedures, favourable impact on operation duration/hospital stay, low complication rates and superiority compared to traditional methods.

Heart in a shell—a cascade of classical findings: a case report

Background

Idiopathic chronic constrictive pericarditis (CP) is an uncommon yet very important clinical entity as prompt diagnosis and early treatment are affiliated with improved outcomes. We describe an uncommon case of CP with a series of textbook findings and received successful treatment with surgical pericardiectomy (SP).

Case summary

A 58-year-old male presented to the emergency department with exertional dyspnoea and anasarca. The past medical history was negative for infections like tuberculosis, viral, etc., connective tissue disease, prior cardiac surgery, human immunodeficiency virus, or any radiation therapy. The vital signs were within normal limits except mild hypoxia while the physical examination was consistent with congestive heart failure. Further investigations with laboratory testing, imaging with chest X-ray, computed tomography, echocardiogram, and invasive study with right heart catheterization were all consistent with idiopathic chronic CP. The patient underwent successful SP with significant improvement in clinical condition.

Discussion

This case highlights the classical signs and symptoms along with important diagnostic features of CP. It is uncommon to see all the classical features of CP in one patient as described in the above case. Familiarity with these findings is crucial to make the diagnosis as early treatment is affiliated with improved outcomes.

Atrial fibrillation, end-stage renal disease and hemorrhagic pleural-pericarditis

Pericarditis is the most common pericardial disease found in clinical practice, with an incidence of acute pericarditis reported in 27.7 cases per 100,000 subjects per year. Hemodialysis in end stage renal disease (ESRD) is associated with frequent cardiovascular modifications, mostly because of the highly fluctuating levels of potassium, magnesium, ionized calcium, sodium and volume status. The risk of arrhythmias is increased and chronic atrial fibrillation (AF) can be found among approximately 14% of patients. The renal disease combined with arrhythmias increases the risk of systemic thromboembolism but also of bleeding events. Here we present the case of a male patient, with ESRD, recently diagnosed with intradialytic paroxysmal AF for which oral anticoagulation therapy is initiated, but it’s early complicated with hemorrhagic pleural-pericarditis.

Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Treatment of Myocarditis in Children

Myocarditis in the pediatric population can be a challenging diagnosis to make and often requires utilization of multiple diagnostic modalities. The cause is often due to a viral infection with activation of the innate and acquired immune response with either recovery or disease progression. Laboratory testing often includes inflammatory markers, cardiac troponin levels, and natriuretic peptides. Noninvasive testing should include electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, and possibly an MRI. Treatment of myocarditis remains controversial with most providers using immune modulators with intravenous immunoglobulin and corticosteroids.

Cardio-Immunology of Myocarditis: Focus on Immune Mechanisms and Treatment Options

Myocarditis and inflammatory cardiomyopathy are syndromes, not aetiological disease entities. From animal models of cardiac inflammation we have detailed insight of the strain specific immune reactions based on the genetic background of the animal and the infectiosity of the virus. Innate and adaptive immunity also react in man. An aetiological diagnosis of a viral vs. a non-viral cause is possible by endomyocardial biopsy with histology, immunohistology and PCR for microbial agents. This review deals with the different etiologies of myocarditis and inflammatory cardiomyopathy on the basis of the genetic background and the predisposition for inflammation. It analyses the epidemiologic shift in cardiotropic viral agents in the last 30 years. Based on the understanding of the interaction between infection and the players of the innate and adaptive immune system it summarizes pathogenetic phases and clinical faces of myocarditis. It gives an up-to-date information on specific treatment options beyond symptomatic heart failure and antiarrhythmic therapy. Although inflammation can resolve spontaneously, specific treatment directed to the causative etiology is often required. For fulminant, acute, and chronic autoreactive myocarditis without viral persistence immunosuppressive treatment can be life-saving, for viral inflammatory cardiomyopathy ivIg treatment can resolve inflammation and often eradicate the virus.