Constrictive pericarditis after lung transplantation: An under-recognized complication

Late Effusive-constrictive Pericarditis after Lung Transplantation

“…Constriction is exceedingly rare after lung transplantation, possibly due to the chronic use of corticosteroids as part of the immunosuppressive regimen. [1][2][3][4] In our institutional experience, of 736 lung transplant recipients, only 3 (0.4%) have been diagnosed with constrictive pericarditis: one with infectious pericarditis, one with uremic pericarditis, and the patient described in this report. The definitive treatment is pericardiectomy.…”

Constrictive Pericarditis Post-Lung Transplant

“…Outcomes of pericardiectomy varied, most patients doing well from 18 months to 16 years. One mortality from chronic lung allograft rejection after two years not related to surgery and outcomes was not mentioned in Billings et al case report.…”

“…Constrictive pericarditis is a rare entity following lung transplant, with only seven previous cases reported in the literature . We present two additional cases and review the literature on this subject.…”

“…The incidence of constrictive pericarditis in patients who have undergone cardiothoracic surgery ranges from 0.0025% to 0.3%. 1 The incidence of constrictive pericarditis following lung transplantation is extremely rare and has been described as 0.4%. 1 With the addition of the two cases in this report, the total number of reported cases of pericardial constriction following lung transplant is nine.…”

“…Pericardiectomy remains the treatment of choice irrespective of the etiology.Constrictive pericarditis is a rare entity following lung transplant, with only seven previous cases reported in the literature. [1][2][3][4] We present two additional cases and review the literature on this subject. Constrictive pericarditis should be considered in lung transplant patients who present with dyspnea and evidence of cardiac failure.…”