Learn about Pericardiectomy Treatment in India — how it works, who it is for, recovery timelines, and what to expect before and after surgery. Compare hospitals and doctors experienced in Pericardiectomy and request assistance for cost estimates or appointments.

About Pericardiectomy

A pericardiectomy is a major cardiac surgery performed to remove part or all of the pericardium, the tough, double-layered sac that surrounds the heart. This procedure is primarily indicated for constrictive pericarditis, a condition where the pericardium becomes scarred, thickened, and rigid, severely restricting the heart's ability to fill and pump blood effectively. It is also used for recurrent pericardial effusions (fluid buildup) that do not respond to other treatments. The surgery, performed under general anesthesia, involves accessing the heart through a sternotomy (breastbone incision) and carefully excising the diseased pericardial tissue to relieve compression on the heart. This allows for improved cardiac filling and function, alleviating debilitating symptoms like severe shortness of breath, fatigue, and fluid retention.

Key Highlights

    Definitive treatment for constrictive pericarditis, relieving pressure on the heart.Can significantly improve heart function, exercise capacity, and quality of life.Addresses recurrent pericardial effusions that are unresponsive to less invasive procedures.Performed by specialized cardiac surgeons with extensive experience in heart surgery.Utilizes advanced surgical techniques and monitoring for patient safety.

Who is this surgery for?

  • Constrictive Pericarditis: Thickening and scarring of the pericardium, often from prior infection (e.g., tuberculosis), radiation therapy, or cardiac surgery.
  • Recurrent Pericardial Effusion: Repeated fluid accumulation around the heart causing tamponade or symptoms, not controlled by pericardiocentesis.
  • Effusive-Constrictive Pericarditis: A combination of fluid buildup and constriction.
  • Purulent Pericarditis: A severe bacterial infection of the pericardial sac.
  • Pericardial Disease causing significant, refractory symptoms like dyspnea, fatigue, and edema.

How to prepare

  • Comprehensive cardiac evaluation including echocardiogram, CT scan, and sometimes cardiac catheterization to confirm diagnosis and assess heart function.
  • Pre-operative blood tests, chest X-ray, and ECG.
  • Management of any active infections or other medical conditions (e.g., optimizing kidney function).
  • Discussion of medications; patients may need to stop blood thinners (anticoagulants) several days before surgery.
  • Fasting for 8-12 hours prior to the procedure as per anesthesia guidelines.
  • Informed consent process detailing the risks, benefits, and alternatives to the surgery.

Risks & possible complications

  • General Surgical Risks: Bleeding, infection, blood clots, and adverse reactions to anesthesia.
  • Cardiac-Specific Risks: Injury to the heart muscle or coronary arteries during dissection, which may require additional repair.
  • Arrhythmias: Irregular heart rhythms, which are common after heart surgery.
  • Low Cardiac Output: The heart may struggle to pump effectively immediately after the constriction is relieved.
  • Recurrence: Incomplete removal of pericardial tissue can lead to symptom recurrence.
  • Pulmonary Complications: Fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion) or pneumonia.
  • Phrenic Nerve Injury: Potential damage to the nerve controlling the diaphragm, affecting breathing.

Recovery & hospital stay

  • Hospital Stay: Initial recovery in the Cardiac ICU for close monitoring, followed by transfer to a step-down unit. Total hospital stay typically lasts several days to over a week.
  • Pain Management: Medications are provided to manage post-operative pain from the sternotomy incision.
  • Activity: Gradual mobilization is encouraged. Patients will receive guidance on sternal precautions (e.g., no heavy lifting, pushing, or pulling) for 6-8 weeks to allow the breastbone to heal.
  • Medications: May include pain relievers, medications to manage heart rhythm or fluid balance, and sometimes temporary blood thinners.
  • Follow-up: Regular follow-up appointments with the cardiac surgeon and cardiologist are essential to monitor heart function and recovery progress.
  • Cardiac Rehabilitation: A supervised exercise and education program is often recommended to regain strength and endurance safely.
  • checked Typical hospital stay: 7-14 days
  • checked Expected recovery time: 6-12 weeks for initial recovery; 3-6 months for full recovery

Frequently Asked Questions

If you are considering pericardiectomy in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.

Procedure cost in other countries

Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for pericardiectomy compare across other countries where we have data.

Country Estimated cost range Typical stay Recovery time View details
Turkey USD 26,663 – USD 60,943 7-14 days ~ 6-12 weeks for initial recovery; 3-6 months for full recovery Know More
India USD 3,680 – USD 8,412 7-14 days ~ 6-12 weeks for initial recovery; 3-6 months for full recovery Know More

Top hospitals for Pericardiectomy in India

These partner hospitals in India have dedicated cardiac surgery teams and experience managing patients undergoing pericardiectomy.

SPARSH Hospital, Hennur Road

  • IconBangalore, India
  • Icon37 Doctors

Manipal Hospital

  • IconBhubaneshwar, India
  • Icon55 Doctors

Miot Hospital

  • IconChennai, India
  • Icon250 Doctors

Manipal Hospital

  • IconSiliguri, India
  • Icon30 Doctors

SIMS Hospital

  • IconChennai, India
  • Icon71 Doctors

Manipal Hospital Mukundapur

  • IconKolkata, India
  • Icon145 Doctors

Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram

  • IconBangalore, India
  • Icon105 Doctors

SPARSH Hospital, Yelahanka

  • IconBangalore, India
  • Icon54 Doctors

Kamineni Hospital, Tadigadapa

  • Iconvijayawada, India
  • Icon44 Doctors

Medanta The Medicity

  • IconGurgaon, India
  • Icon900 Doctors

Nanavati Max Hospital

  • IconMumbai, India
  • Icon187 Doctors

SS SPARSH Hospital, RR Nagar

  • IconBangalore, India
  • Icon6 Doctors
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Cardiac surgeons for Pericardiectomy

Explore experienced cardiac surgeons who regularly perform pericardiectomy and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.

Dr. Robert Coelho - Pediatric Cardiac surgeon at Miot Hospital Chennai with 36 years experience
  • 36 Years Experience
  • Pediatric Cardiac surgeon
Speaks: English

MediFyr Plus Miot Hospital Chennai

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Dr. Kulasekaran M - Cardiac surgeon at Miot Hospital Chennai with 9 years experience
  • 9 Years Experience
  • Cardiac surgeon
Speaks: English, Tamil, Hindi

MediFyr Plus Miot Hospital Chennai

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Dr. Richard Saldanha - Cardiac surgeon at Miot Hospital Chennai with 43 years experience
  • 43 Years Experience
  • Cardiac surgeon
Speaks: English, Tamil, Hindi

MediFyr Plus Miot Hospital Chennai

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Dr. Joseph Xavier - Cardiac surgeon at Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road with 31 years experience
  • 31 Years Experience
  • Cardiac surgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road

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Dr. Rohit Ravindra Tanga - Cardiac surgeon at Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road with 22 years experience
  • 22 Years Experience
  • Cardiac surgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road

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Dr. Arun V - Cardiac surgeon at Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road with 12 years experience
  • 12 Years Experience
  • Cardiac surgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi

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Dr. Vinod Subramanian - Cardiac surgeon at Manipal Hospital Salem with 14 years experience
  • 14 Years Experience
  • Cardiac surgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi

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Dr. Mukundan Seshadri - Cardiac surgeon at Manipal Hospital Whitefield with 32 years experience
  • 32 Years Experience
  • Cardiac surgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Whitefield

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Dr. Arun Veeram Reddy - Cardiac surgeon at Manipal Hospital Whitefield with 14 years experience
  • 14 Years Experience
  • Cardiac surgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi

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Dr. Murali Krishna - Cardiac surgeon at Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road with 16 years experience
  • 16 Years Experience
  • Cardiac surgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi

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