Results from thickening and scarring of the pericardial sac, the fibrotic pericardium therefore loses its elasticity and prevents the heart from expanding

Low volume pulse, Elevated JVP, raised ‘x’ and ‘y’ descents, Kussmaul’s sign, pericardial knock, pulsus paradoxus, hepatomegaly, ascites, impalpable apex beat, hypotension, quiet heart sounds 

Chest X-Ray: pericardial calcification or pleural effusions

ECG: Small QRS complexes

Echo: reduced end-diastolic volumes and raised diastolic pressures, pericardial 

thickening may be seen

CT/MRI: Pericardial thickening and calcification can be assessed

Cardiac Catheterisation: Differing right and left ventricular pressures

Definitive treatment is pericardiectomy

Poor prognosis even after pericardiectomy.

Peri-operative mortality 10%

AF