heart and blood vessel disorders
Chronic Pericarditis
Treatment of Chronic Pericarditis
Treatment of the underlying disorder Sometimes removal of the pericardial fluid or the pericardium For chronic constrictive pericarditis, salt restriction and diuretics to relieve symptoms Known causes of chronic effusive pericarditis are treated when possible. If heart function is normal, doctors take a wait-and-see approach. If the disorder causes symptoms or if an infection is suspected, Surgical treatment , needle drainage (pericardiocentesis), or For people with chronic constrictive pericarditis, restriction of salt in the diet and diuretics (drugs that increase the excretion of fluid) may relieve symptoms. The only possible cure for chronic constrictive pericarditis is surgical removal of the pericardium. Surgery cures about 85% of people. However, because the risk of death from surgery is 5 to 15% (and is higher in people who have severe heart failure), most people do not have surgery unless the disease substantially interferes with daily activities. Doctors usually wait until symptoms are severe—but before symptoms are so severe that they occur while the person is resting—to do the surgery. Restricting salt in the diet and taking diuretics can control the condition for months or even years and may be the only treatment required if constrictive pericarditis is temporary(for example, occurs after heart surgery). 