What does constrictive pericarditis result from?

Constrictive pericarditis is primarily the result of long-term inflammation of the pericardium, which is the fibrous sac surrounding the heart. This inflammation can lead to thickening and fibrosis of the pericardial tissue, causing it to become rigid. As a result, the pericardium does not allow the heart to fill properly during diastole, leading to decreased cardiac output and symptoms of heart failure.

The underlying causes of this prolonged inflammation may include infectious processes such as tuberculosis, prior cardiac surgery, radiation therapy, or idiopathic origins. Understanding that constrictive pericarditis stems from chronic inflammatory changes emphasizes the importance of recognizing and treating conditions that lead to pericardial inflammation early to prevent the development of constriction.

The other options represent different cardiac conditions or phenomena. Acute pericardial effusion refers to the accumulation of fluid in the pericardial space, which is a separate issue from the thickening and rigidity seen in constrictive pericarditis. Cardiomyopathy involves changes in the heart muscle itself, rather than the pericardium. Coronary artery disease relates to the narrowing of coronary arteries, affecting myocardial perfusion but not directly linked to the inflammation of the per