The visceral pericardium is usually prominently involved.
In typical cardiac tamponade, right atrial pressures normalize after pericardiocentesis. Conversely, in ECP, increased right atrial pressure persists post-centesis, with constrictive features surfacing after the pericardial fluid has been drained (initially described as the development of deep x and y descents on right atrial tracings following pericardiocentesis).
The diagnosis of ECP is based on invasive hemodynamics, defined by right atrial pressures failing to drop below 10 mmHg or by ≥50% post-pericardiocentesis.
The most common causes of ECP are idiopathic, malignancy, radiation, post-pericardiotomy, and connective tissue diseases. Tuberculosis is the leading cause in sub-Saharan Africa.
In idiopathic and post-pericardiotomy cases, antiinflammatory treatment as described for non-effusive CP may provide a gratifying result with avoidance of pericardiectomy. Still, no guidance is available regarding a specific approach.
A pericardiectomy is ultimately required in many patients.
-IkaN