A Case of Constrictive Heart Failure Caused by Primary Malignant Pericardial Mesothelioma / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

ABSTRACT

A 67-year-old man was admitted with right heart failure. He had severe peripheral edema of his lower limbs. The heart failure was treated by diuretics, but after 3 months, he was re-admitted with facial edema and pleural effusion. At this time, the pericardium thickened diffusely and rapidly, constricting the heart. Pericardiectomy was performed to alleviate symptoms of heart failure. The thickened pericardium firmly adhered to the epicardium, from which it was inseparable. A partial pericardiectomy was done. The diagnosis was not confirmed during operation, but primary malignant pericardial mesothelioma was diagnosed on immunohistological examination with carletinin. The patient died from massive pleural effusion and heart failure on the 22nd postoperative day. Primary malignant pericardial mesothelioma is an extremely rare pathology, which is difficult to diagnose and has a poor prognosis. However, this pathology is the disease which we should always mention as a cause of constrictive pericarditis.