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Current Cardiology Reports Dec 2023The purpose of this review is to discuss the evolving techniques and approaches for pericardiectomy, with a focus on the use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and the... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
The purpose of this review is to discuss the evolving techniques and approaches for pericardiectomy, with a focus on the use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and the extent of radical pericardial resection. The review aims to highlight the benefits and considerations associated with these modifications in radical pericardiectomy.
RECENT FINDINGS
Recent studies have demonstrated that the use of CPB during pericardiectomy does not increase procedural risk or negatively impact survival. In fact, it has been shown to contribute to a more radical resection and improve postoperative outcomes, which is associated with less recurrence and better survival. The review emphasizes the importance of radical pericardiectomy and the use of CPB in achieving successful outcomes. Radical resection of the pericardium, facilitated by CPB, helps minimize the risk of recurrent constrictions and the need for reinterventions. The findings highlight the correlation between postoperative outcomes and survival, further supporting the use of CPB.
Topics: Humans; Pericarditis, Constrictive; Pericardium; Pericardiectomy; Heart Diseases
PubMed: 37938424
DOI: 10.1007/s11886-023-01986-4 -
The American Journal of Cardiology May 2024In patients with cardiac amyloidosis, pericardial involvement is common, with up to half of patients presenting with pericardial effusions. The pathophysiological... (Review)
Review
In patients with cardiac amyloidosis, pericardial involvement is common, with up to half of patients presenting with pericardial effusions. The pathophysiological mechanisms of pericardial pathology in cardiac amyloidosis include chronic elevations in right-sided filling pressures, myocardial and pericardial inflammation due to cytotoxic effects of amyloid deposits, and renal involvement with subsequent uremia and hypoalbuminemia. The pericardial effusions are typically small; however, several cases of life-threatening cardiac tamponade with hemorrhagic effusions have been described as a presenting clinical scenario. Constrictive pericarditis can also occur due to amyloidosis and its identification presents a clinical challenge in patients with cardiac amyloidosis who concurrently manifest signs of restrictive cardiomyopathy. Multimodality imaging, including echocardiography, cardiac computed tomography, and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, is useful in the evaluation and management of this patient population. The recognition of pericardial effusion is important in the risk stratification of patients with cardiac amyloidosis as its presence confers a poor prognosis. However, specific treatment aimed at the effusions themselves is seldom indicated. Cardiac tamponade and constrictive pericarditis may necessitate pericardiocentesis and pericardiectomy, respectively.
PubMed: 38740164
DOI: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2024.05.007 -
The Journal of International Medical... Nov 2023Angiosarcoma is the most invasive and malignant cardiac tumor and most commonly originates from the right atrium. Early diagnosis is essential, and echocardiography has...
Angiosarcoma is the most invasive and malignant cardiac tumor and most commonly originates from the right atrium. Early diagnosis is essential, and echocardiography has an important role in diagnosis. This tumor grows aggressively, and metastases to other sites makes it difficult to control. Surgical treatment remains the best option for patients who do not respond to chemoradiotherapy. We herein report a case of a 17-year-old patient with cardiac angiosarcoma who presented with dyspnea, chest pain, dry cough, and fever. Although we considered the most probable diagnosis to be constrictive pericarditis, pathologic examination revealed a primary angiosarcoma originating from the pericardium. The patient underwent total pericardiectomy. However, despite receiving chemotherapy for 2 weeks postoperatively, she developed complications including leukopenia and eventually died of respiratory failure. Late diagnosis of angiosarcoma often occurs, resulting in progression to end-stage disease and a very poor prognosis. Therefore, a thorough understanding of this entity, knowledge of its pitfalls in management, and establishment of an accurate treatment guideline would help to develop a reliable and life-saving treatment approach for these patients.
Topics: Female; Humans; Adolescent; Hemangiosarcoma; Mediastinal Neoplasms; Thymus Neoplasms; Heart Neoplasms; Chemoradiotherapy
PubMed: 37987637
DOI: 10.1177/03000605231211772 -
General Thoracic and Cardiovascular... Nov 2023Thoracic irradiation is an important tool in the treatment of breast cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and other cancers of the chest. The heart is commonly involved in... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Thoracic irradiation is an important tool in the treatment of breast cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and other cancers of the chest. The heart is commonly involved in these radiation fields, and young patients can present with severe cardiac pathologies requiring surgical intervention. However, this population poses a high surgical risk due to involvement of mediastinal tissues, and there are no consensus guidelines on best practice management.
AIM
This review aims to summarise the current experience of surgical correction of radiation-associated heart disease. We explore outcomes, technique modifications and alternative therapies for the three primary procedures performed: coronary artery bypass grafting, valvular intervention and pericardiectomy.
METHODS
OVID Medline and PubMed databases were comprehensively searched to identify all studies involving surgery in patients with prior chest radiotherapy. All relevant studies within the past 25 years have been discussed.
CONCLUSION
Irradiated patients have heightened peri-operative risk, but other than redo surgery, these operations are not as treacherous as once thought. Involvement of all layers of the heart, especially the myocardium, is such that long-term mortality suffers despite optimal surgical correction. The goal of surgery in this cohort should be for a quick and safe operation, rather than a technically difficult procedure aimed at longevity.
PubMed: 37166740
DOI: 10.1007/s11748-023-01939-2 -
International Journal of Cardiology Nov 2023Constrictive pericarditis is a rare, potentially treatable, cause of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction that is characterized by insidious onset, challenging... (Review)
Review
Constrictive pericarditis is a rare, potentially treatable, cause of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction that is characterized by insidious onset, challenging diagnosis and dismal prognosis, even following complete surgical pericardiectomy, particularly in advanced disease stages. In recent years it has been proposed that transient pericardial constriction may occur, with an even rarer frequency, during early phases of acute pericarditis and may resolve following specific treatment without progressing to the chronic, irreversible form. We recently observed two cases of well-documented transient pericardial constriction. In the present work we describe these two cases and provide a review on this rare condition, that, if unrecognized and left untreated, may lead to irreversible constrictive pericarditis.
Topics: Humans; Pericarditis, Constrictive; Constriction; Pericarditis; Pericardiectomy; Prognosis
PubMed: 37524124
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2023.131225 -
ARYA Atherosclerosis Jul 2023Chronic constrictive pericarditis results in the signs and symptoms of heart failure due to the chronic compression of the myocardium. When the pericardium becomes... (Review)
Review
Chronic constrictive pericarditis results in the signs and symptoms of heart failure due to the chronic compression of the myocardium. When the pericardium becomes thickened and fibrosed, surgery is the sole curative management strategy. Surgery leads to an improvement in functional status and survival, but it is associated with significant mortality and morbidity. Over the years, the surgical approach to this pathology has largely remained unchanged, but there has been a shift in the etiological mechanism of constrictive pericarditis from predominantly tuberculous to post-cardiac surgery and idiopathic pathologies. This review offers an overview of the surgical management of constrictive pericarditis.
PubMed: 38881993
DOI: 10.48305/arya.2023.41472.2882 -
JACC. Case Reports Dec 2023A 63-year-old male patient presented with chest pain and signs of volume overload. His work-up revealed a diagnosis of transient effusive constrictive pericarditis of...
A 63-year-old male patient presented with chest pain and signs of volume overload. His work-up revealed a diagnosis of transient effusive constrictive pericarditis of idiopathic etiology. Despite treatment with optimal medical therapy, he continued to experience persistent symptoms eventually requiring radical pericardiectomy.
PubMed: 38204553
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaccas.2023.102088 -
Vascular Health and Risk Management 2024We aim to access the effect of pericardiectomy for constrictive pericarditis with or without cardiopulmonary bypass. (Review)
Review
AIM
We aim to access the effect of pericardiectomy for constrictive pericarditis with or without cardiopulmonary bypass.
METHODS
This was a review of pericardiectomy for constrictive pericarditis.
RESULTS
Cardiopulmonary bypass is actually an important maneuver to attain complete relief of the constriction. The short additional time of cardiopulmonary bypass during the procedure has very little effect on the risk of morbidity of the main operation.
CONCLUSION
Incomplete pericardiectomy perhaps was the cause of postoperative remnant constriction and high diastolic filling pressure leading to multiorgan failure. Complete pericardiectomy (removal of phrenic-to-phrenic and the postero-lateral and inferior wall pericardial thickening) using cardiopulmonary bypass should be the routine for total relief of the constriction of the heart.
Topics: Humans; Pericarditis, Constrictive; Pericardiectomy; Cardiopulmonary Bypass; Postoperative Complications
PubMed: 38348404
DOI: 10.2147/VHRM.S439292 -
Annals of Thoracic and Cardiovascular... 2024Pericardiectomy is the definitive treatment option for constrictive pericarditis and is associated with a high prevalence of morbidity and mortality. However,...
PURPOSE
Pericardiectomy is the definitive treatment option for constrictive pericarditis and is associated with a high prevalence of morbidity and mortality. However, information on the associated outcomes and risk factors is limited. We aimed to report the mid-term outcomes of pericardiectomy from a single center in China.
METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed data collected from patients who underwent pericardiectomy at our institute from April 2018 to January 2023.
RESULTS
Eighty-six consecutive patients (average age, 46.1 ± 14.7 years; 68.6 men) underwent pericardiectomy through midline sternotomy. The most common etiology was idiopathic (n = 60, 69.8%), and 82 patients (95.3%) were in the New York Heart Association function class III/IV. In all, 32 (37.2%) patients underwent redo sternotomies, 36 (41.9%) underwent a concomitant procedure, and 39 (45.3%) required cardiopulmonary bypass. The 30-day mortality rate was 5.8%, and the 1-year and 5-year survival rates were 88.3% and 83.5%, respectively. Multivariable analysis revealed that preoperative mitral insufficiency (MI) ≥moderate (hazard ratio [HR], 6.435; 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.655-25.009]; p = 0.007) and partial pericardiectomy (HR, 11.410; 95% CI [3.052-42.663]; p = 0.000) were associated with increased 5-year mortality.
CONCLUSION
Pericardiectomy remains a safe operation for constrictive pericarditis with optimal mid-term outcomes.
Topics: Humans; Pericarditis, Constrictive; Retrospective Studies; Male; Pericardiectomy; Middle Aged; Female; Risk Factors; Adult; Treatment Outcome; Time Factors; China; Risk Assessment; Aged; Postoperative Complications; Sternotomy
PubMed: 38811208
DOI: 10.5761/atcs.oa.24-00036