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Constrictive pericarditis associated with extensive pericardial calcification

Abstract:

It is presented the case of a 39 year-old female patient with a history of progressive dyspnoea and recurrent palpitation events. On physical examination jugular ingurgitation was observed, as well as a highly significant ascites, and heart sounds compatible with “pericardial knock”. The laboratory test results reported increased levels of brain natriuretic peptide and a positive antibody titre for antinuclear factor. The chest X-ray showed a radio-opaque image around the cardiac outline in an “egg shell pattern”. The computed tomography reconstruction showed evidence of a diffuse calcification of the pericardial circumference, including the myocardial wall of the left ventricle and the antero-medial papillary muscle of the mitral valve.