Tuberculous pericarditis and the cardiac conduction system.

ABSTRACT

Nine cases of acute and 8 cases of chronic tuberculous pericarditis were studied for involvement of epicardial structures such as the S-A node, A-V node and large coronary arteries. Extensive caseation was seen in the region of the S-A node in 2 cases of chronic and one case of acute pericarditis. No nodal tissue was identifiable in these cases. In one more case of chronic pericarditis, granuloma with fibrosis was seen in the S-A node. Minor mononuclear infiltration of the S-A node was seen in 2 cases. In the rest of the cases, the S-A node was normal though inflammation was very close to it in 4 cases of acute and all the cases of chronic pericarditis. The A-V node, bundle of His and coronary arteries were normal in these cases.