Restrictive pericarditis treatment includes diuretics and which intervention?

Restrictive pericarditis treatment includes diuretics and which intervention?

• A. Diuretics
• B. Analgesics
• C. Surgical pericardiectomy
• D. Anticoagulation

Answer: (C)

Constriction or restrictive pericarditis causes a stiff pericardium that limits diastolic filling, so the heart can’t fill properly and systemic venous pressures rise. Diuretics can relieve fluid overload temporarily, but they don’t fix the mechanical constraint of the thickened pericardium. The intervention that addresses the root problem is surgical pericardiectomy, which removes the constricting pericardium and allows the ventricles to fill more normally, improving hemodynamics and symptoms. Analgesics only treat pain and don’t change hemodynamics. Anticoagulation isn’t a standard treatment for constriction unless another indication exists, and it won’t relieve the constrictive physiology.

Constriction or restrictive pericarditis causes a stiff pericardium that limits diastolic filling, so the heart can’t fill properly and systemic venous pressures rise. Diuretics can relieve fluid overload temporarily, but they don’t fix the mechanical constraint of the thickened pericardium. The intervention that addresses the root problem is surgical pericardiectomy, which removes the constricting pericardium and allows the ventricles to fill more normally, improving hemodynamics and symptoms. Analgesics only treat pain and don’t change hemodynamics. Anticoagulation isn’t a standard treatment for constriction unless another indication exists, and it won’t relieve the constrictive physiology.