Our Summary

The study is about people who have a condition called chronic constrictive pericarditis (CCP), which affects the heart and can cause difficulty exercising and problems with sleep. The researchers looked at people with CCP who were about to have surgery to remove the pericardium, a layer around the heart.

They measured various health indicators, like a blood marker for heart disease (BNP), how well people could exercise, their quality of life, and their sleep quality. These measurements were taken before the surgery and then six months after the surgery.

The study found that after the surgery, the patients’ BNP levels decreased, which means their heart health improved. They could also exercise better and they reported better quality of life. Their sleep improved slightly as well, but there was no significant change in their sleep disorders related to breathing.

In simple terms, the study found that this type of heart surgery can improve the ability to exercise, overall well-being, and sleep in people with CCP. However, it may not have a significant impact on sleep disorders related to breathing.

FAQs

  1. What is chronic constrictive pericarditis (CCP) and how can it affect a person’s lifestyle?
  2. What improvements were seen in patients with CCP after undergoing surgery to remove the pericardium?
  3. Does pericardiectomy surgery have any significant impact on sleep disorders related to breathing in patients with CCP?

Doctor’s Tip

One helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about pericardiectomy is to follow post-operative care instructions carefully, including taking prescribed medications, attending follow-up appointments, and participating in cardiac rehabilitation if recommended. It is important to give your body time to heal and to gradually increase physical activity as advised by your healthcare team. Additionally, maintaining a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and a balanced diet can support your recovery and overall heart health.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended for pericardiectomy are those with chronic constrictive pericarditis (CCP) who are experiencing symptoms such as difficulty exercising, poor quality of life, and sleep disturbances. These patients may have elevated levels of BNP, indicating heart disease, and may benefit from the surgery to improve their heart health, exercise capacity, and overall well-being.

Timeline

Before the pericardiectomy:

  • Patient experiences symptoms of chronic constrictive pericarditis such as difficulty exercising and problems with sleep.
  • Patient undergoes various health assessments including BNP levels, exercise capacity, quality of life, and sleep quality.

After the pericardiectomy:

  • BNP levels decrease, indicating improved heart health.
  • Patient shows improved ability to exercise.
  • Patient reports better quality of life.
  • Sleep quality improves slightly, but no significant change in sleep disorders related to breathing is observed.
  • Overall, the surgery has a positive impact on the patient’s ability to exercise, well-being, and sleep quality, but may not significantly affect sleep disorders related to breathing.

What to Ask Your Doctor

Some questions a patient should ask their doctor about pericardiectomy include:

  1. What is chronic constrictive pericarditis (CCP) and how does it affect my heart health?
  2. Why is pericardiectomy recommended for treating CCP?
  3. What are the potential risks and complications associated with pericardiectomy surgery?
  4. How will the surgery improve my ability to exercise and overall quality of life?
  5. How will my sleep be affected before and after the surgery?
  6. What specific changes can I expect in my heart health, exercise capacity, quality of life, and sleep after the surgery?
  7. Will I need any additional follow-up care or treatment after the surgery?
  8. Are there any lifestyle changes or medications I should consider post-surgery?
  9. How long is the recovery period after pericardiectomy surgery?
  10. Are there any alternative treatments or procedures for CCP that I should consider?

Reference

Authors: Melo DTP, Nerbass FB, Sayegh ALC, Souza FR, Hotta VT, Salemi VMC, Ramires FJA, Dias RR, Lorenzi-Filho G, Mady C, Fernandes F. Journal: PLoS One. 2019 Oct 11;14(10):e0223838. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0223838. eCollection 2019. PMID: 31603935