Constrictive pericarditis is characterized by scarring and loss of elasticity of the Pericardium, and subsequently, this leads to signs and symptoms of right heart failure. Common etiologies include previous cardiac surgery, repeated pericarditis, and Radiation therapy. However, less common causes include tuberculosis, neoplasms, and autoimmune disorders. Here we present a rare case of constrictive pericarditis of possible tuberculous etiology and review the diagnosis and management of the condition.

Constrictive pericarditis is characterized by scarring and loss of elasticity of the pericardium, and subsequently, this leads to signs and symptoms of right heart failure. Common etiologies include previous cardiac surgery, repeated pericarditis, and radiation therapy. However, less common causes include tuberculosis, neoplasms, and autoimmune disorders. Here we present a rare case of constrictive pericarditis of possible tuberculous etiology and review the diagnosis and management of the condition. Case A 68-year-old female with a past medical history of hypertension, immune thrombocytopenia, and early cervical cancer (who had been cured surgically with a hysterectomy) presented with worsening shortness of breath on exertion and leg swelling of four weeks duration. She also had an occasional cough productive of whitish sputum. She has a history of contact with active tuberculosis (her father), and she was diagnosed with latent tuberculosis (TB) infection at an early age but did not complete a course of treatment for latent TB. The patient denied having chest pain, fever, and chills, weight loss, night sweat, or malaise. Her physical exam was remarkable for jugular venous distension, positive Kussmaul sign, hepatomegaly, and bilateral lower extremities edema.

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