Post-infarct effusive-constrictive pericarditis with a percutaneous left ventricular assist device: a case report

Effusive-constrictive pericarditis (ECP) is a condition where acute pericarditis causes a pericardial effusion and stiffening of the pericardium, which can result in haemodynamic instability due to compression of right-sided cardiac chambers. Here, we present a patient with cardiac tamponade followed by ECP complicating treatment of acute myocardial infarction/cardiogenic shock supported with a percutaneous left ventricular assist device (PVAD).

A 65-year-old male presented with an anterior ST-elevation myocardial infarction and cardiogenic shock. The left anterior descending artery was stented, and a PVAD was placed. The patient was haemodynamically unstable, and the PVAD had frequent suction alarms at higher flow rates. Pulsus paradoxus was noted on the arterial line tracing. Echocardiography showed a large pericardial effusion, which was drained with improvement in cardiac output. However, the patient soon worsened again with continued PVAD suction alarms, and this time echocardiography demonstrated constrictive physiology. The patient was treated with anti-inflammatory medications with improvement in haemodynamics. The PVAD was able to be weaned, and the patient was discharged in stable condition.

Effusive-constrictive pericarditis is a syndrome exhibiting the physiology of both cardiac tamponade and constrictive pericarditis. Effusive-constrictive pericarditis should be considered in patients whose haemodynamics do not improve after pericardiocentesis. This patient had a PVAD placed, which relies on left ventricular preload to increase cardiac output. The numerous suction alarms encountered during this patient’s intensive care unit course were likely due to ECP decreasing preload.