Objective  To estimate the relationship of methods and drugs for management of constrictive pericarditis during pericardiectomy. Methods  We reviewed the records of 45 patients (mean age, 40.24±15.34 years) with a diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis who underwent pericardiectomy in our hospital from 2012 through 2014 year. During operation, inotropic agents, vasodilators and diuretics were used. According to the diuretics, patients were divided into two groups including a furosemide group(group F) with 38 patients and a lyophilized recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide (lrhBNP) group with 7 patients(group B). Results  Preoperatively, 30 patients were pulmonary congestion, which was diagnosed by chest radiographs. Pericardiectomy was finished by off pump in 43 patients. Another 2 patients required cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) for pericardiectomy. In the group F 52.6% of the patients needed vasodilators to reduce cardiac preloading following pericardiectomy. None of other vasodilators were used in the group B. After pericardiectomy, the fluctuation of systolic and diastolic pressure decreased significantly in the group B (P=0.01, respectively). In the group F, the fluctuation of diastolic pressure decreased significantly (P＜0.05). Low cardiac output was the most common postoperative problem. One patient accepted postoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support. Postoperative poor renal function was found in 42.2% of the patients. Three of them needed hemofiltration. Postoperative poor renal function accompanied by poor hepatic function was found in 15.6% of the patients. One of them used dialysis and artificial liver. Three patients were respiratory failure with longer mechanical ventilation and tracheotomy. The overall perioperative mortality rate was 6.7% (3 patients). All patients, who died or used with hemofiltration, artificial liver and ECMO were found in the group F. Conclusion  More stable haemodynamics after pericardiectomy may occur with using lrhBNP. lrhBNP may reduce postoperative major morbidity and mortality. Because of the small group using lrhBNP in our study, more patients using lrhBNP for pericardiectomy need to be studied.

Citation： ZHAO Xiaoqin, WANG Ling. Management and prognosis of constrictive pericarditis during pericardiectomy. Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, 2017, 24(1): 36-42. doi: 10.7507/1007-4848.201512013 Copy