Constrictive pericarditis in a patient with inherited factor VII deficiency

Abstract

Constrictive pericarditis (CP) is the final stage of a chronic inflammatory process characterized by fibrous thickening and calcification of the pericardium that impairs diastolic filling, reduces cardiac output, and ultimately leads to heart failure. We present a clinical case of CP in a patient with rare inherited bleeding disorder - factor VII deficiency. Heart failure due to CP was suspected based on clinical symptoms, results of ultrasonic and radiological investigations. The diagnosis was verified by the results of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Pericardectomy was performed resulting in significant improvement in the patient’s condition.

Keywords

• constrictive pericarditis
• pericardectomy
• hypoproconvertinemia
• vii factor deficiency