TABLE 2.

Common Features on Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Assessment Associated with Constrictive Pericarditis

Pericardial thickness ≥4 mm, denoted as a dark, low-intensity signal stripe often with distinct fibrocalcific irregularities

Elongated, narrowed right ventricle, sometimes described as “tubing of the right ventricle”

Right and often, biatrial enlargement

Sigmoid-shaped intraventricular septum with abnormal motion

Inferior vena cava plethora (and hepatic venous congestion)

Pericardial contrast enhancement after intravenous gadolinium-DTPA, where early enhancement suggests associated pericardial inflammation and late enhancement suggests pericardial scar (specific patterns may denote specific etiologies such as that with tuberculous pericarditis)

Myocardial tagging showing lack of change in the grid, suggesting tight adhesion between the pericardium and the underlying myocardium