To differentiate restrictive cardiomypathy and constrictive pericarditis, features ouring constrictive pericarditis are-: (A) Diastolic pressures are not equalised, (B) There is mild pericardial effusion, (C) Associated with septal hyperophy, (D) Thick pericardium is present
Answer is D. Ref: Harrison's 19th E pg 1573 Table 288-2. Thickened pericardium seen in constrictive pericarditis. Because constrictive pericarditis can be corrected surgically, it is impoant to distinguish chronic constrictive pericarditis from restrictive cardiomyopathy, which has a similar physiologic abnormality (i.e., restriction of ventricular filling).