URAEMIC CONSTRICTIVE PERICARDITIS

A case of uræmic constrictive pericarditis occurring during the course of a long‐term hæmodialysis and renal transplantation programme is presented. In the case described, the pericardial constriction developed insidiously over a period of about six months, in contrast to six other cases, found in the literature, which occurred after long‐standing hæmorrhagic pericardial effusion. The value of pericardial paracentesis under cardiographic control and of cardiac catheterization in arriving at the diagnosis is discussed. It is suggested that, in such cases, pericardectomy should, when possible, be undertaken before renal transplantation.