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chronic constrictive pericarditis
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chronic constrictive pericarditis

physiology
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Quick Summary

Chronic constrictive pericarditis is a condition where the pericardium, the sac surrounding the heart, becomes thickened and scarred. This thickening restricts the heart's ability to fill with blood during its resting phase, limiting the normal function of the ventricles.12

This limitation reduces the heart's overall output, which can eventually affect all organ systems, including the brain, liver, and kidneys. While the exact cause is often unknown, it can sometimes result from infections like tuberculosis. The primary treatment for chronic constrictive pericarditis is surgery to remove the thickened pericardium, allowing the ventricles to fill properly and restoring adequate blood flow to vital organs.213

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3 Britannica Sources
  1. cardiovascular disease - Diseases of the pericardium
  2. cardiovascular disease - Chronic constrictive pericarditis
  3. pericarditis

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