Constrictive pericarditis (CP) is a rare complication after cardiac surgery, which is infrequently reported in the literature [
1‐
3]. Constrictive pericarditis may develop as a midterm or late complication of cardiac surgery [
1]. The incidence is estimated at 0.2–2.4 % [
1]; however, the short-term occurrence as in our case has not been described earlier. It is a disease characterised by the encasement of the heart by a rigid non-pliable pericardium due to dense fibrosis and adhesions. This causes impaired cardiac filling, exaggerated by the enhanced interventricular interdependence, leading to heart failure manifested by right-sided congestion (by impaired filling), peripheral oedema and ascites, besides symptoms of diminished cardiac output in response to exertion with fatigability and dyspnoea on exertion. The current case is unique in the early and rapid development of constrictive pericarditis within 3 months after cardiac surgery, which is reported in the literature as a complication occurring 1.5–2 years after surgery [
4]. The treatment for constrictive pericarditis is radical pericardiectomy, which is a high-risk procedure with a high incidence of complications and mortality but in most patients symptoms are relieved [
5,
6]. Recurrence of constrictive pericarditis is possible, but the recurrence rate is not exactly known [
5,
6]. Recurrent right-sided heart failure after operation for constrictive pericarditis may be caused by incomplete pericardiectomy, or recurrent constriction due to exuberant scar tissue [
5,
6]. Recently, colchicine was reported to be a safe and effective treatment to prevent postcardiectomy syndrome [
7] and can probably prevent the late complications such as constrictive pericarditis. Although rare, cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons should be wary of this clinical problem and rapid diagnosis and treatment of constrictive pericarditis are crucial to reduce mortality and morbidity. Pericardiectomy should be performed early after diagnosis, in order to prevent chronic illness. After surgery, inotropes, diuretics, salt restriction, and nutrition supply are also critical to improve the prognosis of the patient [
8].