CONSTRICTIVE PERICARDITIS Meaning and
Definition
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Constrictive pericarditis is a medical condition characterized by the inflammation and thickening of the pericardium, a double-layered membranous sac that surrounds the heart. The pericardium normally acts as a protective barrier and helps maintain the position of the heart within the chest cavity. However, in cases of constrictive pericarditis, the pericardium becomes rigid and loses its elasticity.
The constriction of the pericardium restricts the normal expansion and contraction of the heart during the cardiac cycle, impeding its ability to fill with blood and pump effectively. This leads to impaired cardiac function and can result in symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, reduced exercise tolerance, fluid retention, and swelling in the legs and abdomen.
Constrictive pericarditis most commonly occurs as a result of chronic inflammation of the pericardium, often triggered by conditions such as tuberculosis, viral infections, autoimmune disorders, radiation therapy, or previous cardiac surgery. The inflammation causes the pericardium to thicken and develop scar tissue, resulting in the constrictive effect.
Diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis involves physical examination, imaging tests like echocardiography and cardiac MRI, as well as invasive procedures like cardiac catheterization and surgical biopsy. Treatment typically involves the surgical removal or decortication of the thickened pericardium to alleviate the constriction and restore normal heart function. Medications to manage symptoms and control underlying causes may also be prescribed.
Early detection and prompt treatment of constrictive pericarditis are crucial to prevent long-term complications, such as heart failure or additional cardiac problems. Regular follow-up visits with a cardiologist are recommended to monitor and manage the condition effectively.
Common Misspellings for CONSTRICTIVE PERICARDITIS
- xonstrictive pericarditis
- vonstrictive pericarditis
- fonstrictive pericarditis
- donstrictive pericarditis
- cinstrictive pericarditis
- cknstrictive pericarditis
- clnstrictive pericarditis
- cpnstrictive pericarditis
- c0nstrictive pericarditis
- c9nstrictive pericarditis
- cobstrictive pericarditis
- comstrictive pericarditis
- cojstrictive pericarditis
- cohstrictive pericarditis
- conatrictive pericarditis
- conztrictive pericarditis
- conxtrictive pericarditis
- condtrictive pericarditis
- conetrictive pericarditis
- conwtrictive pericarditis
Etymology of CONSTRICTIVE PERICARDITIS
The word "constrictive pericarditis" is derived from two main components: "constrictive" and "pericarditis".
1. Constrictive: The word "constrictive" comes from the verb "constrict", which means to tighten, compress, or make narrow. It is derived from the Latin word "constringere", which is a combination of "con-" (together) and "stringere" (to bind or draw tight). In the context of medicine, "constrictive" refers to a condition in which something becomes tight or narrow.
2. Pericarditis: The word "pericarditis" is composed of two parts: "peri-" and "carditis". "Peri-" is a prefix meaning "around", and "carditis" refers to inflammation of the heart.
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