Tuberculous (TB) pericarditis is associated with a mortality rate of 17-40% despite treatment with anti-tuberculosis drugs. The complications of TB pericarditis that confer mortality and morbidity are pericardial tamponade, effusive constrictive pericarditis, and constrictive pericarditis. Whilst the diagnosis and treatment of pericardial tamponade and constriction are well established, there is a paucity of evidence on the frequency and significance of tuberculous effusive constrictive pericarditis. The primary purpose of this work was to determine the prevalence, predictors, fractal (geometric) structure, biomarker signature, and outcome of effusive constrictive TB pericarditis.

Includes bibliographical references (p.127-140).

Includes abstract.