TABLE 1.

Common Causes of Constrictive Pericarditis

Idiopathic–nearly half of cases

Post viral pericarditis

Tuberculosis–15% of cases in developed nations

Postsurgical

Prior mediastinal radiation therapy

Chronic renal failure treated with hemodialysis

Connective tissue disorders

Neoplastic pericardial infiltration

Purulent pericarditis

Fungal and Parasitic Infections

After pericarditis associated with acute myocardial infarction

After postmyocardial infarction (Dressler) syndrome

In association with pulmonary asbestosis