Can thickened pericardium heal on its own?
Apr 16, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Tian Hongbo
Introduction
Pericardial thickening generally does not resolve spontaneously. It may result from infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, or from inflammatory stimulation of the pericardium following myocardial infarction, leading to fibroblast proliferation, tissue congestion, and edema. This condition can cause symptoms such as palpitations, chest tightness, ascites, and dyspnea. Active treatment to eliminate the underlying causes is usually required to alleviate symptoms; therefore, the likelihood of spontaneous recovery is low.
Pericardial thickening generally does not resolve spontaneously and requires active treatment targeting the underlying cause to improve the condition.
In clinical practice, pericardial thickening refers to fibrous thickening of the pericardium. It may result from infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, or from inflammatory stimulation of the pericardium following myocardial infarction, leading to proliferation of pericardial fibroblasts, or from congestion and edema of pericardial fibrous tissue. This condition may cause abnormal symptoms such as palpitations, chest tightness, ascites, and difficulty breathing. Since effective symptom relief usually depends on eliminating the causative factors, the likelihood of spontaneous recovery is low.
After diagnosis of pericardial thickening, it is recommended to promptly visit a hospital for tests such as complete blood count and CT imaging to assess the extent of infection, followed by appropriate medical treatment to improve the condition.
