Volume 2025, Issue 1 5514172
Case Report
Open Access

Lessons From a Complex Case of Calcific Constrictive Pericarditis: A Case Report

Varun Kasula

Corresponding Author

Varun Kasula

Department of Cardiology , Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine , Lillington , North Carolina , USA

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Vikram Padala

Vikram Padala

Department of Cardiology , Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University , Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , USA , temple.edu

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Jagroop Doad

Jagroop Doad

Department of Cardiology , Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine , Lillington , North Carolina , USA

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Hassan Awais

Hassan Awais

Department of Cardiology , Conway Medical Center , Conway , South Carolina , USA

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Vinod Chaubey

Vinod Chaubey

Department of Cardiology , Conway Medical Center , Conway , South Carolina , USA

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Aditya Sood

Aditya Sood

Department of Cardiology , Conway Medical Center , Conway , South Carolina , USA

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Lauren Golden

Lauren Golden

Department of Cardiology , Conway Medical Center , Conway , South Carolina , USA

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First published: 09 May 2025
Academic Editor: Kathleen Ngu

Abstract

Despite advances in imaging and diagnostics, calcific constrictive pericarditis (CCP) remains a rare and challenging entity, often masquerading as other cardiopulmonary conditions, leading to delayed diagnosis. We present a 70-year-old male with a history of heart failure, atrial fibrillation (AF), cirrhosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and prior pleural effusion, who was admitted with acute hypoxic respiratory failure and AF with rapid ventricular response (RVR). Imaging revealed extensive pericardial calcifications, leading to a diagnosis of CCP. The patient’s clinical course was marked by refractory hypotension, altered mental status, and progressive cardiohepatic syndrome. Given his high surgical risk, he was managed conservatively and transitioned to palliative care. This case underscores the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges of CCP, particularly in patients with complex comorbidities where surgical intervention is not feasible. It highlights the need for early recognition and individualized management strategies to optimize outcomes in this challenging subset of patients.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Data Availability Statement

Data sharing is not applicable to this article as no datasets were generated or analyzed during the current study.

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