Pericarditis tuberculosa: una manifestación extrapulmonar infrecuente de TBC / Tuberculous pericarditis an infrequent extrapulmonary manifestation of TB

Extrapulmonary tuberculosis (TB) contributes to 15% of total cases, representing a great diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Pericardial involvement is present in 1 to 2% of TB patients and is considered an unusual presentation form of TB. We report a 67-year-old male presenting with fever and progressive dyspnea. A chest CAT scan showed a bilateral pleural effusion and an extensive pericardial effusion. An echocardiogram showed signs of tamponade. Therefore, an emergency pericardiectomy was performed. The pathological report of pericardial tissue showed caseating necrosis and its Koch culture was positive. The patient was treated with anti-tuberculous drugs with a favorable evolution.

Constrictive pericarditis with extensive calcification and caseous necrosis

Abstract Constrictive pericarditis is a disease where loss of pericardial elasticity and restriction of filling of the cardiac chambers occurs. It is most often seen as an associated symptom of heart failure. Pericardiectomy provides effective treatment for patients with symptomatic constrictive pericarditis, although high rates of morbidity and mortality are related to the procedure. We present a case with extensive calcification, massive caseous necrosis and an important impairment of right ventricular function successfully operated in our institution.

Left atrium volume tracking technique in assessing changes of left atrium volume and function in patients with constrictive pericarditis / 中国医学影像技术

Objective: To explore the clinical value of left atrium volume tracking (LAVT) technique in assessment of left atrium (LA) volume and function changes in patients with constrictive pericarditis (CP). Methods: Twenty CP patients who underwent pericardiectomy were enrolled. LA volume parameters, including LA maximum volume (LAVmax), pre-contraction volume (LAVpre) and minimum volume (LAVmin) were obtained in CP patients before (preoperative group) and after pericardiectomy (postoperative group), also in 20 healthy subjects (control group) with LAVT technique. The measured volume parameters were calibrated with body surface area,and then LAVImax, LAVIpre, LAVImin were obtained. Systolic filling rate of LA (dv/dtS), early diastolic emptying rate of LA (dv/dtE) and late diastolic emptying rate of LA (dv/dtA) were measured according to LA volume change velocity curve obtained with LAVT. Then LA total ejection fraction (LATEF), LA passive ejection fraction (LAPEF) and LA active ejection fraction (LAAEF) were also calculated. The parameters were compared among groups. Results: Obvious differences of LAVImin were found among 3 groups (P<0.05). LAVImin in preoperative group and postoperative group were higher than that in control group (both P<0.05), while in preoperative group was higher than that in postoperative group (P<0.05). There were statistical differences of LATEF, LAPEF, LAAEF, dv/dtS, dv/dtE and dv/dtA among 3 groups (all P<0.05), those in preoperative group and postoperative group were lower than in control group (all P<0.05), in preoperative group were lower than in postoperative group (all P<0.05). Conclusion: LAVT can be used to accurately assess changes of LA volume and function in CP patients before and after pericardiectomy.

Value of left ventricular myocardial strain derived from cardiac magnetic resonance tissue tracking on differentiating constrictive pericarditis from restrictive cardiomyopathy / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective: To compare left ventricular myocardial mechanics detected by cardiac magnetic resonance tissue tracking(CMR-TT) between patients with constrictive pericarditis(CP) and restrictive cardiomyopathy(RCM),and see if those can be used to differentiate CP from RCM patients. Methods: A total of 23 patients with CP, 20 patients with RCM, who hospitalized in Beijing Anzhen Hospital from January 2014 to April 2019 were included in this study and 25 healthy subjects served as control group, all subjects underwent cardiac magnetic resonance examination. Myocardial mechanics were evaluated by 2-dimensional(2D) and 3-dimensional(3D) CMR-TT in terms of global longitudinal strain(GLS), circumferential strain(GCS), radial strain(GRS) and the lateral wall strain to septal wall strain ratio(lateral/septal ratio) of basal, mid-cavity and apical. The diagnostic area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was evaluated for differentiating CP from RCM. Results: Age, sex and heart rate were similar between CP and RCM patients(all P>0.05). 2D-GLS, 3D-GLS, GCS and GRS in CP and RCM groups were significantly lower than those in normal control group(all P<0.05).3D-GLS value was significantly lower in RCM patients than in CP patients(P<0.05), the area under the curve (AUC)=0.787(sensitivity 80%, specificity 78%). 3D-GCS was significantly lower in CP group than in RCM group(P<0.05), the AUC=0.737(sensitivity 80%, specificity 65%). However, there was no significant difference between CP and RCM in 3D-GRS(P>0.05). Compared with RCM, the circumferential and radial lateral/septal ratios of the basal were significantly lower in CP group than in RCM group(both P<0.05), AUC=0.737(sensitivity 70%, specificity 83%) and 0.737 (sensitivity 60%, specificity 87%), respectively. The left ventricular myocardial mechanics strain curve of the CP,RCM and normal control were different. The CP patients presented as " rapidly down-a platform" form, the RCM presented as "slowly down" form, and normal control presented as "rapidly down" form. Conclusion: Evaluating the differences in the diastolic process of left ventricular myocardium and left ventricular myocardial mechanics strain curve is helpful to differentiate CP from RCM patients.

Diagnosis and treatment of post-hepatic portal hypertension / 临床肝胆病杂志

Post-hepatic portal hypertension refers to portal hypertension caused by the obstruction of liver blood flow between the extrahepatic liver vein and the right heart due to the obstruction of the extrahepatic liver vein. Common etiologies include Budd-Chiari syndrome, right heart failure, and constrictive pericarditis. With the development of medicine, great progress has been made in the diagnosis and treatment of these diseases in recent years.

Importance of Clinical and Laboratory Findings in the Diagnosis and Surgical Prognosis of Patients with Constrictive Pericarditis / Importância dos Achados Clínicos e Laboratoriais no Diagnóstico e Prognóstico Cirúrgico de Pacientes com Pericardite Constritiva

Abstract Background: International studies have reported the value of the clinical profile and laboratory findings in the diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis. However, Brazilian population data are scarce. Objective: To assess the clinical characteristics, sensitivity of imaging tests and factors related to the death of patients with constrictive pericarditis undergoing pericardiectomy. Methods: Patients with constrictive pericarditis surgically confirmed were retrospectively assessed regarding their clinical and laboratory variables. Two methods were used: transthoracic echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Mortality predictors were determined by use of univariate analysis with Cox proportional hazards model and hazard ratio. All tests were two-tailed, and an alpha error ≤ 5% was considered statically significant. Results: We studied 84 patients (mean age, 44 ± 17.9 years; 67% male). Signs and symptoms of predominantly right heart failure were present with jugular venous distention, edema and ascites in 89%, 89% and 62% of the cases, respectively. Idiopathic etiology was present in 69.1%, followed by tuberculosis (21%). Despite the advanced heart failure degree, low BNP levels (median, 157 pg/mL) were found. The diagnostic sensitivities for constriction of echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging were 53.6% and 95.9%, respectively. There were 9 deaths (10.7%), and the risk factors were: anemia, BNP and C reactive protein levels, pulmonary hypertension >55 mm Hg, and atrial fibrillation. Conclusions: Magnetic resonance imaging had better diagnostic sensitivity. Clinical, laboratory and imaging markers were associated with death.

Resumo Fundamento: Estudos internacionais têm relatado o valor de perfil clínico e exames de imagem no diagnóstico e prognóstico da pericardite constritiva. Entretanto, dados da população brasileira são escassos. Objetivo: Avaliar as características clínicas, sensibilidade de exames de imagem e fatores relacionados ao óbito em uma série de casos de pericardite constritiva submetidos à pericardiectomia. Métodos: Pacientes com pericardite constritiva confirmada por cirurgia foram avaliados retrospectivamente quanto a variáveis clínicas e laboratoriais. Dois métodos diagnósticos foram utilizados: ecocardiograma transtorácico e ressonância cardíaca. Preditores de mortalidade foram determinados por análise univariada usando metodologia das proporções de Cox e hazard ratio. Todos os testes foram considerados bicaudais e um erro alfa ≤ 5% foi considerado como significante. Resultados: Foram estudados 84 pacientes com idade média de 44 ± 17,9 anos, sendo 67% do sexo masculino. Sinais e sintomas de insuficiência cardíaca (IC) predominantemente direita estiveram presentes com estase jugular, edema e ascite em 89%, 89% e 62% dos casos, respectivamente. Etiologia idiopática foi observada em 69% dos casos, seguida por tuberculose em 21%. Apesar do grau de IC, encontramos baixos níveis de BNP (mediana de 157 pg/mL). As sensibilidades diagnósticas para constrição do ecocardiograma e da ressonância foram 53,6% e 95,9%, respectivamente. Durante a evolução clínica, houve 9 óbitos (10,7%) e os fatores de risco foram: anemia, elevações de BNP, PCR, hipertensão pulmonar > 55 mmHg e fibrilação atrial. Conclusões: Pericardite constritiva manifesta-se com sinais e sintomas de IC biventricular com predomínio à direita e baixos níveis de BNP. A ressonância magnética apresenta melhor sensibilidade para diagnóstico. Marcadores clínicos, laboratoriais e de imagem estiveram associados ao óbito.

Miocardiopatías restrictivas: Valoración por resonancia magnética cardiaca y tomografía multicorte / Restrictive Cardiomyopathies: Evaluation Using Cardiac MRI and Multidetector CT

Las miocardiopatías son condiciones que afectan al miocardio y generan alteración en la función cardiaca. Dentro de las miocardiopatías, el subgrupo de las restrictivas tiene como principal hallazgo la disminución en el llenado ventricular. A continuación se expone una revisión acerca de las miocardiopatías restrictivas, se analizan sus principales causas, y los hallazgos por resonancia magnética cardiaca y por tomografía computarizada. También se incluyen signos por imagen que ayudan a diferenciar las miocardiopatías restrictivas de la pericarditis constrictiva.

Cardiomyopathies are conditions that affect the myocardium and cause alteration in the cardiac function. Within the cardiomyopathies, the restrictive subgroup has as a main finding the decrease in the ventricular filling. In this manuscript we will review the restrictive cardiomyopathies and discuss their main causes, as well as their imaging findings on cardiac magnetic resonance and computed tomography. We will also include imaging signs that helps to differentiate restrictive cardiomyopathies from constrictive pericarditis.

Polisserosite de Concato: uma doença rara ou pouco conhecida? / Concato's disease: a rare or a little known condition?

Polisserosite consiste na inflamação das serosas (pericárdio, pleurae peritônio) com efusão. Na polisserosite de Concato, além das manifestações inflamatórias das serosas, ocorre pericardite com espessamento dos folhetos do pericárdio, podendo levar a um quadro de pericardite constritiva. Justifica-se este estudo ao considerarmos que a etiologia das serosites são muitas; por isso, há necessidade de melhor estudá-las e difundi-las no meio acadêmico. Nesse sentido, propomo-nos a rever a literatura, por meio de levantamento bibliográfico, de pesquisa em rede e literatura atualizada sobre o tema abordado. Deste modo, pretendemos melhor elucidar a etiopatogenia da doença de Concato, dada a importância do diagnóstico precoce, combinado ao tratamento adequado, na prevenção de consequências indesejáveis e fatais. O principal objetivo desta revisão é meramente acadêmico, pois há um desconhecimento muito grande desta forma de apresentação de tal doença no meio médico. Acreditamos que, com este estudo de revisão, poderemos contribuir para a conscientização e efetivação do diagnóstico precoce da patologia estudada, evitando complicações e, assim, promover: saúde, multiplicação e difusão do conhecimento adquirido.

Polyserositis is the inflammation of serous membranes (pericardium, pleura and peritoneum) with effusion. In Concato’s disease, in addition to chronic inflammatory manifestations of serous membranes, there occurs pericarditis with thickening of pericardium leasflets, which may lead to a picture of constrictive pericarditis. This study is justified by the multiple etiological factors that may lead to serosites, and the need to further study and publish study results. In this sense, a review was proposed by making a literature survey using network research and current literature available on the topic for the purpose of elucidating the etiopathogenesis of Concato’s disease, given the importance of an early diagnosis, in association with the appropriate treatment, in the prevention of undesirable or even fatal consequences. The aim of this review is academic, inasmuch as there is lack of medical knowledge on the manifestations of this condition. By doing this, we aim to contribute to developing an awareness of the importance of an early diagnosis of this pathology, thus avoiding complications and promoting health and the propagation of acquired knowledge.

Evaluation of left atrial functions in patients with constrictive pericarditis after pericardiectomy by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective To evaluate the changes of left atrial (LA)functions in patients with constrictive pericarditis (CP)after pericardiectomy by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (STE).Methods A total of 41 patients with CP underwent echocardiography before and after pericardiectomy.The procedure was performed to obtain global LA longitudinal strain,the septal and lateral walls'longitudinal strain,including peak negative strain (NS),peak positive strain (PS),and total strain (TS),using speckle tracking echocardiography.Thirty-five healthy volunteers were recruited as controls. Results After pericardiectomy,global LA peak negative strain and total strain of CP increased significantly (P 0.05).And three components of LA longitudinal strain were still lower than normal (P <0.005).LA lateral wall's total strain,peak positive strain and peak negative strain improved apparently after pericardiectomy (P <0.005),only peak negative strain increased in LA septum (P < 0.01 ).Conclusions In the early postoperative period,LA reservoir and contractile function presented significant improvements,even notable in the lateral area when compared with septum.However,all three parts of LA function were still lower than normal.STE can regionally estimate LA functions in patients with CP after pericardiectomy.

Constrictive Pericarditis Long after a Gunshot Wound

Constrictive pericarditis is an uncommon post-inflammatory disorder characterized by a variably thickened, fibrotic, and frequently calcified, pericardium. Etiology of the constriction can occur for many reasons. Although foreign bodies are not the common cause of constrictive pericarditis, the long-term presence of foreign bodies, like bullets, is presumed to cause chronic constrictive pericarditis even after a very long asymptomatic period. A 69-year-old patient with atrial flutter was admitted to the hospital. A cardiac computed tomography showed a bullet located adjacent to the right atrium. The transthoracic echocardiography showed a thickened pericardium and septal bouncing motion, which were compatible with constrictive pericarditis. The history of the patient revealed an injury by gunshot during the Korean War in 1950. Radiofrequency ablation of the atrial flutter was performed, and after ablation, the bullet was removed surgically. The patient was discharged home after surgery without complications.

A Case of Constrictive Pericarditis due to Immunoglobulin G4-Related Disease

Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) can involve any organ. The majority of reported cases involve IgG4-RD of the biliary tract or pancreas, while only two cases of pericarditis have been reported. A 58-year-old man visited the outpatient clinic of our institution with a seven-day history of progressive dyspnea. Based on his transthoracic echocardiogram and transesophageal echocardiogram, he was diagnosed with constrictive pericarditis. The histopathology of his pericardiectomy revealed the cause of constrictive pericarditis to be IgG4-RD. Prednisolone (40 mg) was initiated after the pericardiectomy. As the patient's symptoms resolved, he was discharged and followed-up on an outpatient basis. This is the first case report of constrictive pericarditis caused by IgG4-RD in Korea.

Pericarditis constrictiva como presentación grave e infrecuente de lupus eritematoso sistémico: reporte de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Constrictive pericarditis as a serious and rare presentation of systemic lupus erythematosus: Report of one case

Constrictive Pericarditis (CP) is an unusual disease. Its most common causes are idiopathic or secondary to cardiac surgery. Less frequently it is caused by connective tissue diseases. We report a 30 years old woman hospitalized due to progressive dyspnea, chest pain and signs of right sided heart failure. During her stay, a Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) was diagnosed. The echocardiogram suggested a CP and the diagnosis was confirmed by cardiac catheterization. Pericardiectomy was successfully performed. The biopsy confirmed a nonspecific chronic pericarditis, with extensive fibrosis and absence of caseating granulomas. The patient had a satisfactory recovery.

Constrictive Pericarditis as a Never Ending Story: What's New?

Nowadays, we have a better understanding of the natural history of constrictive pericarditis such as transient constriction. In addition, we have acquired the correct understanding of hemodynamic features that are unique to constrictive pericarditis. This understanding has allowed us to diagnose constrictive pericarditis reliably with Doppler echocardiography and differentiation between constrictive pericarditis and restrictive cardiomyopathy is no longer a clinical challenge. The advent of imaging modalities such as CT or MR is another advance in the diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis. We can accurately measure pericardial thickness and additional information such as the status of coronary artery and the presence of myocardial fibrosis can be obtained. We no longer perform cardiac catheterization for the diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis. However, these advances are useless unless we suspect and undergo work-up for constrictive pericarditis. In constrictive pericarditis, the most important diagnostic tool is clinical suspicion. In a patient with signs and symptoms of increased systemic venous pressure i.e. right sided heart failure, that are disproportionate to pulmonary or left sided heart disease, possibility of constrictive pericarditis should always be included in the differential diagnosis.

Acute Viral Myopericarditis Presenting as a Transient Effusive-Constrictive Pericarditis Caused by Coinfection with Coxsackieviruses A4 and B3

Acute myopericarditis is usually caused by viral infections, and the most common cause of viral myopericarditis is coxsackieviruses. Diagnosis of myopericarditis is made based on clinical manifestations of myocardial (such as myocardial dysfunction and elevated serum cardiac enzyme levels) and pericardial (such as inflammatory pericardial effusion) involvement. Although endomyocardial biopsy is the gold standard for the confirmation of viral infection, serologic tests can be helpful. Conservative management is the mainstay of treatment in acute myopericarditis. We report here a case of a 24-year-old man with acute myopericarditis who presented with transient effusive-constrictive pericarditis. Echocardiography showed transient pericardial effusion with constrictive physiology and global regional wall motion abnormalities of the left ventricle. The patient also had an elevated serum troponin I level. A computed tomogram of the chest showed pericardial and pleural effusion, which resolved after 2 weeks of supportive treatment. Serologic testing revealed coxsackievirus A4 and B3 coinfection. The patient received conservative medical treatment, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and he recovered completely with no complications.

Pericardite constritiva secundária a trauma ocorrido há 20 anos / Constrictive pericarditis secondary to thoracic trauma occuring 20 years previously

Pericardite constritiva resulta de um espessamento fibroso do pericárdio, secundária à inflamação crônica causada por uma variedade de doenças, levando a progressivos sinais e sintomas de falência cardíaca direita e esquerda. Relata-se um caso em que depois de excluídas causas comuns, foi identificado trauma torácico ocorrido 20 anos antes dos sintomas de insuficiência cardíaca, chamando a atenção para o tempo transcorrido e também justificando a imagem da calcificação evidente à radiografia de tórax.

Constrictive pericarditis results from a fibrous thickening of the pericardium secondary to chronic inflammation caused by a variety of diseases, leadingto progressive signs and symptoms of right and left heart failure. This case study reports on thoracic trauma identified, after excluding common causes, as occurring twenty years prior to the symptoms of heart failure, drawing attention to this time lapse and also justifying the chest radiography image with visible calcification.

Constrictive Pericarditis Accompanied by Swine-Origin Influenza A (H1N1) Infection

Swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) is caused by a new strain of the influenza virus. The disease has spread rapidly and was declared a pandemic in April, 2009. So far, however, there is a scarcity of information regarding the complications of swine influenza. A report of the disease in the winter of 2009 in the Southern Hemisphere found that the most common manifestations of influenza A virus infection are upper respiratory tract infection and pneumonia. Although there may be an association between fulminant myocarditis and Swine influenza, cardiovascular complications resulting from swine Influenza A infection are exceedingly rare. We report a case of acute constrictive pericarditis in a healthy subject infected by the swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus.

Pericardiectomy by a Left Limited Anterolateral Thoracotomy for Constrictive Pericarditis after Cardiac Surgery: 2 case reports / 대한흉부외과학회지

Although it is a rare complication of cardiac surgery, constrictive pericarditis still remains a difficult problem that needs an appropriate treatment after cardiac surgery. We had two patients with constrictive pericarditis presenting with unexplained right heart failure early after cardiac surgery, and the diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis was made by a specific finding of septal bounce shown in echocardiographic study. On the postoperative 40th day and 31st day, they underwent pericardiectomy by a left limited anterolateral thoracotomy. For one to two weeks since pericardiectomy, the cardiac failure symptoms were gradually relieved. For patients without improvement of the constrictive symptom and sign even with conservative medical therapy for constrictive pericarditis developed early after cardiac surgery, pericardiectomy by a left limited anterolateral thoracotomy is considered as a useful therapeutic mode.

A Case of Constrictive Pericarditis Associated With Huge Epicardial Fat Volume

Massive deposits of fat around heart are seen in overweight persons and are associated with coronary artery disease. Investigators have focused on the clinical significance of epicardial fat with respect to metabolic effects such as insulin resistance and inflammation, but the mechanical effects, such as constriction, have been largely ignored. We present an unusual case of a 59-year-old woman with obesity and diabetes mellitus who had been undergoing peritoneal dialysis due to end-stage renal disease, and who developed constrictive pericarditis, possibly secondary to extensive epicardial fatty accumulation.

Níveis séricos de NT pro-BNP: relação com função sistólica e diastólica nas miocardiopatias e pericardiopatias / Serum NT pro-BNP: relation to systolic and diastolic function in cardiomyopathies and pericardiopathies

FUNDAMENTO: O NT pro-BNP é marcador de disfunção sistólica e diastólica. OBJETIVO: Determinar os níveis de NT pro-BNP em pacientes com cardiopatia chagásica, hipertrófica, restritiva e afecções pericárdicas, e sua relação com medidas ecocardiográficas de disfunção sistólica e diastólica. MÉTODOS: Cento e quarenta e cinco pacientes foram divididos nos respectivos grupos: 1) cardiopatia chagásica (CCh) - 14 pacientes; 2) miocardiopatia hipertrófica (CMH) - 71 pacientes; 3) endomiocardiofibrose (EMF) - 26 pacientes; 4) derrame pericárdico (DP) - 18 pacientes; 5) e pericardite constritiva (PC) - 16 pacientes. Foi constituído um grupo-controle de 40 indivíduos sem doença cardíaca. O grau de acometimento miocárdico e o derrame pericárdico foram avaliados pelo ecocardiograma bidimensional e a restrição pelo Doppler pulsátil do fluxo mitral. O diagnóstico de PC foi confirmado por meio da ressonância magnética. Os níveis de NT pro-BNP foram medidos por imunoensaio com detecção por eletroquimioluminescência. RESULTADOS: O NT pro-BNP esteve aumentado (p < 0,001) na CCh (mediana 513,8 pg/ml), CMH (mediana 848 pg/ml), EMF (mediana 633 pg/ml), PC (mediana 568 pg/ml), DP (mediana 124 pg/ml), quando comparados ao grupo-controle (mediana 28 pg/ml). Não foram observadas diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre PC e EMF (p = 0,14). No grupo hipertrófico, o NT pro-BNP correlacionou-se com tamanho de átrio esquerdo (r = 0,40; p < 0,001) e relação E/Ea (p < 0,01). No grupo restritivo, houve uma tendência de correlação com pico de velocidade de onda E (r = 0,439; p = 0,06). CONCLUSÃO: O NT pro-BNP encontra-se aumentado nas diversas miocardiopatias e afecções pericárdicas, e apresenta relação com o grau de disfunção sistólica e diastólica.

BACKGROUND: NT pro-BNP is a marker of systolic and diastolic dysfunction. OBJECTIVE: To determine NT pro-BNP levels in patients with chagasic, hypertrophic, and restrictive heart diseases, as well as with pericardial diseases, and their relation to echocardiographic measurements of systolic and diastolic dysfunction. METHODS: A total of 145 patients were divided into the following groups: 1) Chagas' heart disease (CHD) - 14 patients; 2) hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) - 71 patients; 3) endomyocardial fibrosis (EMF) - 26 patients; 4) pericardial effusion (PE) - 18 patients; and 5) constrictive pericarditis (CP) - 16 patients. The control group was comprised of 40 individuals with no heart disease. The degree of myocardial impairment and pericardial effusion were assessed by two-dimensional echocardiography and the degree of restriction by pulsed Doppler transmitral flow. The diagnosis of CP was confirmed through magnetic resonance imaging. NT pro-BNP levels were determined through electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. RESULTS: NT pro-BNP was increased (p < 0.001) in CHD (median = 513.8 pg/ml), HCM (median = 848 pg/ml), EMF (median = 633 pg/ml), CP (median = 568 pg/ml), and PE (median = 124 pg/ml), when compared with the control group (median = 28 pg/ml). No statistically significant differences were found between CP and EMF (p = 0.14). In the hypertrophic group, NT pro-BNP was correlated with left atrial size (r = 0.40; p < 0.001) and with E/Ea ratio (p < 0.01). In the restrictive group, there was a trend of correlation with E-wave peak velocity (r = 0.439; p = 0.06). CONCLUSION: NT pro-BNP is increased in the different cardiomyopathies and pericardial diseases and is correlated with the degree of systolic and diastolic dysfunction.