Intrapericardial recombinant tissue plasminogen activator in purulent pericarditis- case series.

BACKGROUND: Pericardial constriction is one of the complications of purulent pericarditis (PP). Most difficult to treat, which may develop both in early and in the late period of the disease, resulting in a very poor prognosis. CASE PRESENTATION: We present case series of 4 patients with purulent pericarditis, in whom direct intrapericardial administration of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (r-tPA) was used. Management of PP requires a combined surgical and medical approach. The most important is complete drainage of the effusion by subxiphoid pericardiotomy connected with complementary use of broad-spectrum antibiotics. Despite the use of broad- spectrum antibiotics, in some patients a large volume of daily drainage is still present. Constrictive pericarditis as a complication of PP is observed in majority of patients. Intrapericardial administration of fibrinolytic agents, although not strongly recommended, can improve efficacy of antibiotic treatment especially in patients with loculation fluid and can prevent the development of constrictive pericarditis. r-tPA was applied at a dose of 20 mg dissolved in 100 ml of normal saline in a 100 ml syringe, administered by a large pericardial drain (Pezzer drain) installed into the pericardial cavity during pericardioscopy. The tube was closed and re-opened after 24 h. No serious complications, such as bleeding, allergy or hypotension, were noted. CONCLUSION: We present case series of 4 patients with purulent pericarditis, in whom direct intrapericardial administration of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (r-tPA), prevented the development of constrictive pericarditis, and increased efficacy of antibiotic treatment without any significant complications.

Subacute pericardial abscess after aortic valve replacement: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Purulent pericarditis is an infectious disease, frequently caused by gram-positive bacteria, that is rarely observed in healthy individuals, and is often associated with predisposing conditions. CASE PRESENTATION: Here, we present the case of an Escherichia coli post-surgical localized purulent pericarditis complicated by transient constrictive pericarditis and its diagnostic and therapeutic management. CONCLUSIONS: Our case report focuses on the importance of imaging-guided treatment of purulent pericardial diseases, in particular on the emerging role of 18 F-labelled 2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography in pericardial diseases and on the management of transient constrictive pericarditis, often seen after thoracic surgery.

Another Whipple's triad? Pericardial, myocardial and valvular disease in an unusual case presentation from a Canadian perspective.

BACKGROUND: Whipple's disease is a clinically relevant multi-system disorder that is often undiagnosed given its elusive nature. We present an atypical case of Whipple's disease involving pan-valvular endocarditis and constrictive pericarditis, requiring cardiac intervention. A literature review was also performed assessing the prevalence of atypical cases of Whipple's disease. CASE PRESENTATION: A previously healthy 56-year-old male presented with a four-year history of congestive heart failure with weight loss and fatigue. Notably, he had absent gastrointestinal symptoms. He went on to develop pan-valvular endocarditis and constrictive pericarditis requiring urgent cardiac surgery. A clinical diagnosis of Whipple's disease was suspected, prompting duodenal biopsy sampling which was unremarkable, Subsequently, Tropheryma whipplei was identified by 16S rDNA PCR on the cardiac valvular tissue. He underwent prolonged antibiotic therapy with recovery of symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Our study reports the first known case of Whipple's disease involving pan-valvular endocarditis and constrictive pericarditis. A literature review also highlights this presentation of atypical Whipple's with limited gastrointestinal manifestations. Duodenal involvement was limited and the gold standard of biopsy was not contributory. We also highlight the Canadian epidemiology of the disease from 2012 to 2016 with an approximate 4% prevalence rate amongst submitted samples. Routine investigations for Whipple's disease, including duodenal biopsy, in this case may have missed the diagnosis. A high degree of suspicion was critical for diagnosis of unusual manifestations of Whipple's disease.

The effects of HIV/AIDS on the clinical profile and outcomes post pericardiectomy of patients with constrictive pericarditis: a retrospective review.

OBJECTIVE: The clinical profile and surgical outcomes of patients with constrictive pericarditis were compared in HIV-positive and -negative individuals. METHODS: This study was a retrospective analysis of patients diagnosed with constrictive pericarditis at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, Durban, over a 10-year period (2004-2014). RESULTS: Of 83 patients with constrictive pericarditis, 32 (38.1%) were HIV positive. Except for pericardial calcification, which was more common in HIV-negative subjects (n = 15, 29.4% vs n = 2, 6.3%; p = 0.011), the clinical profile was similar in the two groups. Fourteen patients died preoperatively (16.9%) and three died peri-operatively (5.8%). On multivariable analysis, age (OR 1.17; 95% CI: 1.03-1.34; p = 0.02), serum albumin level (OR 0.63; 95% CI: 0.43-0.92; p = 0.016), gamma glutamyl transferase level (OR 0.97; 95% CI: 0.94-0.1.0; p = 0.034) and pulmonary artery pressure (OR 1.49; 95% CI: 1.07-2.08; p = 0.018) emerged as independent predictors of pre-operative mortality rate. Peri-operative complications occurred more frequently in HIV-positive patients [9 (45%) vs 6 (17.6%); p = 0.030]. CONCLUSIONS: Without surgery, tuberculous constrictive pericarditis was associated with a high mortality rate. Although peri-operative complications occurred more frequently, surgery was not associated with increased mortality rates in HIV-positive subjects.

Constrictive pericarditis following necrotising pneumococcal pneumonia in an immunocompetent child.

Purulent pericarditis leading to constrictive pericarditis is a rare but serious complication following invasive pneumococcal infection. Early recognition of this complication is crucial to prevent mortality. Here, we report a previously healthy child who developed constrictive pericarditis due to purulent pericarditis following necrotising pneumococcal pneumonia, which is not common in this current antibiotic and pneumococcal vaccine era. The child was successfully treated with pericardiectomy.

Metropolitan W135 meningococcal compressive pericarditis treated with intrapericardial fibrinolysis.

Meningococcal pericarditis is a rare but severe form of acute purulent pericarditis. It is a classic complication of Neisseria meningitidis of serotype W135, usually occurring in pilgrims to Mecca and their household contacts. This severe form of meningococcaemia is difficult to diagnose and evolves frequently and gradually towards a tamponade, requiring emergency drainage. We report a case of meningococcal pericarditis caused by N. meningitidis W135 in an immunocompetent patient, without any other organ involvement especially meningeal, requiring pericardium drainage in emergency and then intrapericardial fibrinolysis.

A rare cause of ascites in a renal transplant recipient.

Thirty-five-year-old man, underwent renal transplantation 4 years back and was doing well. He now presented with complaints of ascites with engorged neck veins and dyspnoea on exertion for last 6 months. Examination showed elevated jugular venous pressure with two prominent descents, high pitched diastolic heart sound (pericardial knock). Echocardiography showed characteristic features of thickened pericardium, septal bounce, expiratory flow reversal in hepatic veins and phasic variation of mitral inflow, suggestive of constrictive pericarditis. The patient was started on empirical antitubercular therapy and diuretics. The patient symptomatically improved, but in view of persisting constrictive physiology he was planned for pericardiectomy.

A Case of Constrictive Pericarditis Associated with Melioidosis in an Immunocompetent Patient Treated by Pericardiectomy.

BACKGROUND Melioidosis is a rare tropical bacterial infection caused by the Gram-negative soil saprophyte, Burkholderia pseudomallei. Melioidosis can mimic a variety of diseases due to its varied presentation, and unless it is treated rapidly, it can be fatal.  A rare case of melioidosis, with pericarditis and pericardial effusion, is described, which demonstrates the value of early diagnosis with echocardiography and pericardiocentesis. CASE REPORT A 38-year-old native (Iban) East Malaysian man presented with shortness of breath and tachycardia. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) showed cardiac tamponade. Urgent pericardiocentesis drained a large amount of purulent pericardial fluid that grew Burkholderia pseudomallei. Despite appropriate dose and duration of intravenous treatment with ceftazidime followed by meropenem, the patient developed recurrent pericardial effusion and right heart failure due to constrictive pericarditis. The diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis was confirmed by computed tomography (CT) and surgical exploration. Following pericardiectomy, his symptoms resolved, but patient follow-up was recommended for possible sequelae of constrictive pericarditis. CONCLUSIONS After the onset of melioidosis pericarditis, the authors recommend follow-up and surveillance for possible complication of constrictive pericarditis.

Purulent constrictive pericarditis caused by Salmonella enteritidis in a patient with adult-onset Still's disease: A case report.

RATIONALE: Purulent pericarditis is a rare and usually fatal disease. Immunodeficiency state and preexisting pericardial effusion can predispose patients to infections. However, we are not aware of similar cases in patients with adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD). In addition, it is seldom caused by Salmonella bacteria. PATIENT CONCERNS: We report a 30-year-old woman with dyspnea on exertion and epigastric fullness. She was newly diagnosed with AOSD 4 months previously and medicated with prednisolone. DIAGNOSES: Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and computed tomography revealed a thickened pericardium with loculations in the pericardial space, consistent with purulent constrictive pericarditis. Subsequent cultures of blood and pericardial fluid yielded S enteritidis. INTERVENTIONS: She underwent subtotal pericardiectomy through a limited median sternotomy, and antibiotic therapy (ceftriaxone) for 1 month. OUTCOMES: The New York Heart Association functional classification downgraded from class III to class I. There was no recurrence during the 1-year follow-up. LESSONS: This case presents an opportunity to highlight the importance of considering purulent pericarditis in patients previously diagnosed with AOSD. High clinical suspicion, early diagnosis, and prompt management can result in a better outcome in purulent pericarditis.

A prospective investigation into the effect of colchicine on tuberculous pericarditis.

INTRODUCTION: Tuberculous (TB) pericarditis carries significant mortality and morbidity rates, not only during the primary infection, but also as part of the granulomatous scar-forming fibrocalcific constrictive pericarditis so commonly associated with this disease. Numerous therapies have previously been investigated as adjuvant strategies in the prevention of pericardial constriction. Colchicine is well described in the treatment of various aetiologies of pericarditis. The aim of this research was to investigate the merit for the use of colchicine in the management of tuberculous pericarditis, specifically to prevent constrictive pericarditis. METHODS: This pilot study was designed as a prospective, double-blinded, randomised, control cohort study and was conducted at a secondary level hospital in the Northern Cape of South Africa between August 2013 and December 2015. Patients with a probable or definite diagnosis of TB pericarditis were included (n = 33). Study participants with pericardial effusions amenable to pericardiocentesis underwent aspiration until dryness. All patients were treated with standard TB treatment and corticosteroids in accordance with the South African Tuberculosis Treatment Guidelines. Patients were randomised to an intervention and control group using a web-based computer system that ensured assignment concealment. The intervention group received colchicine 1.0 mg per day for six weeks and the control group received a placebo for the same period. Patients were followed up with serial echocardiography for 16 weeks. The primary outcome assessed was the development of pericardial constriction. Upon completion of the research period, the blinding was unveiled and data were presented for statistical analysis. RESULTS: TB pericarditis was found exclusively in HIV-positive individuals. The incidence of pericardial constriction in our cohort was 23.8%. No demonstrable benefit with the use of colchicine was found in terms of prevention of pericardial constriction (p = 0.88, relative risk 1.07, 95% CI: 0.46-2.46). Interestingly, pericardiocentesis appeared to decrease the incidence of pericardial constriction. CONCLUSION: Based on this research, the use of colchicine in TB pericarditis cannot be advised. Adjuvant therapy in the prevention of pericardial constriction is still being investigated and routine pericardiocentesis may prove to be beneficial in this regard.

Tuberculous constrictive pericarditis complicated with tuberculous mediastinitis - case report.

Constrictive pericarditis is a rare and severe disease. A 37-year-old patient was admitted in the hospital for dyspnea, precordial pain, right-sided cardiac failure. Chest X-ray showed cardiac enlargement and an opacity suggestive for pleural effusion. Echocardiography revealed an adhesive-effusive-constrictive pericarditis, a very thickened pericardium and bilateral pleural effusion. After a pericardiectomy done to restore cardiac compensation and to identify etiological factors, a tuberculous pericarditis (TBP) was diagnosed. After surgery and starting anti-TB treatment, the patient presented altered clinical status, dyspnea, dry cough, fever and delayed callus formation at sternum level. Thoracic scan revealed mediastinal air collections, pericarditis and pleurisy. Thus, the TBP diagnosis was extended to mediastinal TB and anti-TB therapy was continued. After four months of treatment, another thoracic scan showed disappearance of the mediastinal air-leakage bubbles, multiple new micronodules in both lungs and lymph nodes of up to 15 mm; also increasing pericardial and pleural effusions. This case was interpreted as a TB treatment failure situation. A retreatment regimen was started, resulting in a slow favorable outcome. Pericardial TB is a rare condition, usually with delayed diagnosis and poor treatment benefits. Whenever possible, earlier diagnostic can contribute to better management of these cases.

Tuberculous constrictive pericarditis and atrial septal defect: Surgical challenge.

Tuberculous constrictive pericarditis with atrial septal defect is very rare. A 23-year-old man required pericardiectomy and atrial septal defect closure under cardiopulmonary bypass by cannulating the aorta and right atrium because femoral cannulation was not possible and the venae cavae could not be visualized. He was discharged in a satisfactory condition on the 15th postoperative day, but returned one month later with swelling all over his body and dyspnea on exertion. Echocardiography showed atrial septal defect patch dehiscence and a bidirectional shunt with a collection or mass compressing the right ventricle. Subxiphoid exploration was carried out, and the swelling subsided.

Constrictive pericarditis requiring pericardiectomy at Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa: causes and perioperative outcomes in the HIV era (1990-2012).

OBJECTIVE: The causes of constrictive pericarditis and predictors of perioperative outcome after pericardiectomy have not been clearly elucidated, especially in Africa, where the disease characteristics differ from those in developed countries. Furthermore, the effect of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) on pericardial constriction and outcomes after surgery is unknown. We investigated the causes of constrictive pericarditis, outcomes after pericardiectomy, and predictors of mortality in Cape Town, South Africa, during a 22-year period of high HIV/AIDS prevalence. METHODS: A retrospective review of the medical records of all patients who had undergone pericardiectomy for constrictive pericarditis at Groote Schuur Hospital from January 1, 1990 to December 31, 2012 was performed. RESULTS: Of 121 patients, 36 (29.8%) had proven tuberculosis, 74 (61.2%) had presumed tuberculosis, 6 (5%) had idiopathic causes, and 5 (4%) had miscellaneous causes of constrictive pericarditis. Seventeen patients (14%) died perioperatively with low cardiac output syndrome the main cause of mortality. On multivariable analysis, serum sodium (hazard ratio, 0.88; 95% confidence interval, 0.80-0.97; P = .009) and preoperative New York Heart Association class IV (hazard ratio, 3.42; 95% confidence interval, 1.29-9.08; P = .014; vs combined class I-III) were independent predictors of early mortality. Of the 121 patients, 14 (11.6%) were HIV positive, with a mean CD4 cell count of 284 ± 133 cells/µL. No early deaths occurred in the HIV-positive patients. CONCLUSIONS: Tuberculosis is the main cause of constrictive pericarditis in South Africa. Despite its efficacy at relieving the symptoms of heart failure, pericardiectomy is associated with high perioperative mortality that was not influenced by HIV status. New York Heart Association functional class IV and hyponatremia predict for early mortality after pericardiectomy.