The role of multi-modality cardiovascular imaging in a patient presenting with acute liver failure secondary to constrictive pericarditis: a case report

BACKGROUND: Constrictive pericarditis is a rare cause of heart failure which often presents a diagnostic challenge to clinicians. CASE SUMMARY: We describe the case of a 62-year-old male who presented to our institution with symptoms and signs suggestive of acute liver failure. Abdominal imaging demonstrated congestive hepatopathy. Clinical suspicion despite a ‘normal’ echocardiogram and sub-threshold NT-proBNP led to multi-modality cardiovascular imaging investigations to determine the cause of the heart failure syndrome. His cardiovascular magnetic resonance scan confirmed ventricular interdependence and extensive late enhancement in the pericardium with associated pericardial effusion. An 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography scan confirmed active pericardial inflammation. Cardiac computed tomography showed minimal pericardial calcification. Following confirming the diagnosis of effusive-constrictive pericarditis with evidence of active pericardial inflammation on imaging, a discussion within the Heart multidisciplinary team concluded that a trial of medical therapy with steroids is justifiable to avoid high-risk pericardiectomy. The patient was successfully treated with a combination of ibuprofen, colchicine, and prednisolone resulting in clinical improvement and remission of his symptoms. The imaging investigations were repeated 6 months later and confirmed radiological remission and medical therapy was discontinued. DISCUSSION: We stress the importance of multi-modality cardiovascular imaging in the diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis and also emphasize its role in identifying the subset of patients who may respond to medical therapy, therefore reducing the risk of high need surgical pericardiectomy.