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Misdiagnosis of constrictive pericarditis presenting with cirrhosis and ascites: a case report

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Ascites, edema, dyspnea, and other non-diagnostic manifestations are among the various signs and symptoms of constrictive pericarditis. It is included in the differential diagnosis of several disorders that affect the heart, liver, pulmonary system, and other organs. In this report, a 44-year-old man presented with abdominal distention, sleep apnea, and lower extremity edema from one year ago. He was misdiagnosed as having right-sided heart failure, but one month later, he manifested icter, ascites, gross volume overload, elevated jugular venous pressure, and edema. Transthoracic echocardiography was compatible with constrictive pericarditis, and cardiac MRI also demonstrated constrictive pericarditis. We performed a total pericardiectomy and ventricular decortication via sternotomy. Patient’s symptoms then alleviate following surgical pericardiectomy, since no complaint was detected yet. Constrictive pericarditis, a potentially fatal and uncommon condition, should be considered among the differential diagnoses in patients with ascites and edema.

Source: Journal of Preventive Epidemiology

DOI: 10.34172/jpe.2025.39263

Authors: Sina Homaee, Shahriar Nikpour, Zahra Davoudi, Alireza Ebadi, Farnaz Saberian

Institutions: Masih Daneshvari Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Imam Hossein Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Pericarditis and Cardiac Tamponade

Subfield: Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W7161974934

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