1.
Proc (Bayl Univ Med Cent)
; 26(2): 168-70, 2013 Apr.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-23543979
ABSTRACT
Two men, one 63 and one 52 years old, presented with ascites. Analysis of the ascitic fluid in both patients revealed a high protein content and an elevated serum-ascites gradient. Various studies showed the cause of the ascites to be constrictive pericardial disease. Total excision of their parietal pericardia relieved their symptoms, decreased their cardiac filling pressures, and increased their cardiac indices. These cases highlight the importance of suspecting pericardial constriction as an etiology for high-protein-count ascites.