Chronic Constrictive Pericarditis After CABG or Hemodialysis?

Abstract

Acute uremic pericarditis is an indication for initiating dialysis in patients with stage V chronic kidney disease. Even in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), cardiac involvement manifests itself mostly as uremic pericarditis. Chronic constrictive pericarditis, also known as dialysis pericarditis, is relatively rare. The cause of chronic constrictive pericarditis is multifactorial and, in most cases, remains uncertain. The most common symptoms are fatigue, dyspnea, and peripheral edema. We present a case of a woman with history of coronary artery bypass graft surgery a year back and on chronic dialysis who developed constrictive pericarditis. Our case illustrates the importance of this rare entity in dialysis patients as timely intervention with intensification of dialysis and pericardiectomy is needed to prevent progression to an incapacitating state.