Results
The overall operative mortality was 10.1% (n=10). The rate of operative
mortality decreased over the study period; however, the test of trend
was not statistically significant (P=0.062). Hodgkin’s disease was the
most common malignancy (64%) for which mediastinal radiation had been
received. Only 27% patients had an isolated pericardiectomy, and
concomitant pericardiectomy and valve surgery was performed in 46%
patients. Radical resection was performed in 50% patients, whereas 47%
patients underwent a subtotal resection. Prolonged ventilation (26%),
atrial fibrillation (21%) and pleural effusion (16%) were the most
common post-operative complications. The overall 1,5- and 10-years
survival was 73.6%, 53.4% and 32.1% respectively. Increasing age (HR
1.044, 95%CI 1.017-1.073) appeared to have a significant negative
effect on overall survival in the univariate model.