Calcific constrictive pericarditis in a patient presenting with right heart failure

A 45-year-old man presented with gradual dyspnea, abdominal distension, and pedal edema of six-month history. A lateral chest x-ray demonstrated severe, dense calcification of the pericardium. Two-dimensional and pulsed-wave Doppler echocardiography demonstrated signs of constrictive pericarditis. Chest computed tomography showed diffuse, incomplete calcification of the pericardium and a dilated superior vena cava. The patient refused pericardiectomy, so medical treatment was instituted.