Importance of Clinical and Laboratory Findings in the Diagnosis and Surgical Prognosis of Patients with Constrictive Pericarditis / Importância dos Achados Clínicos e Laboratoriais no Diagnóstico e Prognóstico Cirúrgico de Pacientes com Pericardite Constritiva

Abstract Background: International studies have reported the value of the clinical profile and laboratory findings in the diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis. However, Brazilian population data are scarce. Objective: To assess the clinical characteristics, sensitivity of imaging tests and factors related to the death of patients with constrictive pericarditis undergoing pericardiectomy. Methods: Patients with constrictive pericarditis surgically confirmed were retrospectively assessed regarding their clinical and laboratory variables. Two methods were used: transthoracic echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Mortality predictors were determined by use of univariate analysis with Cox proportional hazards model and hazard ratio. All tests were two-tailed, and an alpha error ≤ 5% was considered statically significant. Results: We studied 84 patients (mean age, 44 ± 17.9 years; 67% male). Signs and symptoms of predominantly right heart failure were present with jugular venous distention, edema and ascites in 89%, 89% and 62% of the cases, respectively. Idiopathic etiology was present in 69.1%, followed by tuberculosis (21%). Despite the advanced heart failure degree, low BNP levels (median, 157 pg/mL) were found. The diagnostic sensitivities for constriction of echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging were 53.6% and 95.9%, respectively. There were 9 deaths (10.7%), and the risk factors were: anemia, BNP and C reactive protein levels, pulmonary hypertension >55 mm Hg, and atrial fibrillation. Conclusions: Magnetic resonance imaging had better diagnostic sensitivity. Clinical, laboratory and imaging markers were associated with death.

Resumo Fundamento: Estudos internacionais têm relatado o valor de perfil clínico e exames de imagem no diagnóstico e prognóstico da pericardite constritiva. Entretanto, dados da população brasileira são escassos. Objetivo: Avaliar as características clínicas, sensibilidade de exames de imagem e fatores relacionados ao óbito em uma série de casos de pericardite constritiva submetidos à pericardiectomia. Métodos: Pacientes com pericardite constritiva confirmada por cirurgia foram avaliados retrospectivamente quanto a variáveis clínicas e laboratoriais. Dois métodos diagnósticos foram utilizados: ecocardiograma transtorácico e ressonância cardíaca. Preditores de mortalidade foram determinados por análise univariada usando metodologia das proporções de Cox e hazard ratio. Todos os testes foram considerados bicaudais e um erro alfa ≤ 5% foi considerado como significante. Resultados: Foram estudados 84 pacientes com idade média de 44 ± 17,9 anos, sendo 67% do sexo masculino. Sinais e sintomas de insuficiência cardíaca (IC) predominantemente direita estiveram presentes com estase jugular, edema e ascite em 89%, 89% e 62% dos casos, respectivamente. Etiologia idiopática foi observada em 69% dos casos, seguida por tuberculose em 21%. Apesar do grau de IC, encontramos baixos níveis de BNP (mediana de 157 pg/mL). As sensibilidades diagnósticas para constrição do ecocardiograma e da ressonância foram 53,6% e 95,9%, respectivamente. Durante a evolução clínica, houve 9 óbitos (10,7%) e os fatores de risco foram: anemia, elevações de BNP, PCR, hipertensão pulmonar > 55 mmHg e fibrilação atrial. Conclusões: Pericardite constritiva manifesta-se com sinais e sintomas de IC biventricular com predomínio à direita e baixos níveis de BNP. A ressonância magnética apresenta melhor sensibilidade para diagnóstico. Marcadores clínicos, laboratoriais e de imagem estiveram associados ao óbito.

Importance of Clinical and Laboratory Findings in the Diagnosis and Surgical Prognosis of Patients with Constrictive Pericarditis.

BACKGROUND: International studies have reported the value of the clinical profile and laboratory findings in the diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis. However, Brazilian population data are scarce. OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical characteristics, sensitivity of imaging tests and factors related to the death of patients with constrictive pericarditis undergoing pericardiectomy. METHODS: Patients with constrictive pericarditis surgically confirmed were retrospectively assessed regarding their clinical and laboratory variables. Two methods were used: transthoracic echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Mortality predictors were determined by use of univariate analysis with Cox proportional hazards model and hazard ratio. All tests were two-tailed, and an alpha error ≤ 5% was considered statically significant. RESULTS: We studied 84 patients (mean age, 44 ± 17.9 years; 67% male). Signs and symptoms of predominantly right heart failure were present with jugular venous distention, edema and ascites in 89%, 89% and 62% of the cases, respectively. Idiopathic etiology was present in 69.1%, followed by tuberculosis (21%). Despite the advanced heart failure degree, low BNP levels (median, 157 pg/mL) were found. The diagnostic sensitivities for constriction of echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging were 53.6% and 95.9%, respectively. There were 9 deaths (10.7%), and the risk factors were: anemia, BNP and C reactive protein levels, pulmonary hypertension >55 mm Hg, and atrial fibrillation. CONCLUSIONS: Magnetic resonance imaging had better diagnostic sensitivity. Clinical, laboratory and imaging markers were associated with death.

Acute pericarditis.

Acute pericarditis is a common disease caused by inflammation of the pericardium, usually benign and self-limited and can occur as an isolated or as a manifestation of a systemic disease entity. Represents 5% of all causes of chest pain in the emergency room. The main etiology are viral infections, although it can also be secondary to systemic diseases and infections. The main complication of acute pericarditis is pericardial effusion, triggering a cardiac tamponade. The first line of treatment is the use of anti-inflammatory and or acetylsalicylic acid. Most patients have a good initial response to an NSAID associated to colchicine and became asymptomatic within a few days. This review article seeks to contemplate the main clinical findings and armed investigation to optimize the diagnosis of this important disease, as well as addressing their therapeutic management.

Acute pericarditis / Pericardite aguda

Summary Acute pericarditis is a common disease caused by inflammation of the pericardium, usually benign and self-limited and can occur as an isolated or as a manifestation of a systemic disease entity. Represents 5% of all causes of chest pain in the emergency room. The main etiology are viral infections, although it can also be secondary to systemic diseases and infections. The main complication of acute pericarditis is pericardial effusion, triggering a cardiac tamponade. The first line of treatment is the use of anti-inflammatory and or acetylsalicylic acid. Most patients have a good initial response to an NSAID associated to colchicine and became asymptomatic within a few days. This review article seeks to contemplate the main clinical findings and armed investigation to optimize the diagnosis of this important disease, as well as addressing their therapeutic management.

Resumo A pericardite aguda é uma doença comum causada pela inflamação do pericárdio, geralmente benigna e autolimitada, podendo ocorrer como entidade isolada ou como manifestação de uma patologia sistêmica. Representa 5% de todas as causas de dor torácica na sala de emergência. A principal etiologia são as infecções virais, embora também possa ser secundária a afecções sistêmicas. A principal complicação da pericardite aguda é o derrame pericárdico, desencadeando um tamponamento. A primeira linha de tratamento é uso de anti-inflamatórios ou ácido acetilsalicílico. A maioria dos pacientes tem boa resposta inicial a um anti-inflamatório não esteroide (AINE) associado à colchicina e torna-se assintomática em poucos dias. Este artigo busca contemplar os principais achados clínicos e de propedêutica armada para otimizar o diagnóstico dessa patologia, bem como abordar o seu manejo terapêutico.