Aetiology

Causes include:

• tuberculosis - worldwide, TB is the leading cause of constrictive pericarditis, and the incidence is about 50% among patients with tuberculous pericardial effusion despite antitubercular therapy
• viral infection - in developed nations, the leading cause of this condition is idiopathic or post viral infection, accounting for 40% to 60% of total cases
• malignancy - carcinomatous invasion of the pericardium
• radiotherapy of the chest - with an incidence ranging from 2% to 30% in patients treated with mediastinal radiation.
• renal failure
• post cardiac surgery

Reference

1. Khraishah H, Kwun A, Dearani JA, Alfaddagh A. Constrictive Pericarditis: A Comprehensive Overview. Heart Views. 2025 Jul-Sep;26(3):188-197