Limitations
There are several limitations to this study. First, it is a retrospective single-institution study limited by its inherent selection bias. Second, this retrospective study was conducted over a span of 18 years. The surgical techniques and definitions of post-operative complications have continued to evolve and may have contributed to variability of data over time. Lack of functional data, and a comparison group of patients who had mediastinal irradiation induced constriction but did not undergo pericardiectomy are other important limitations.
Sources of funding – None declared
Conflict of interest – None declared
Figure 1 – Operative mortality. Test of trend over the study period
Figure 2 – Late mortality at 1-, 5- and 10 years
Table 1 – Patient demographics