Myocardium is rigid and noncompliant, impeding ventricular filling and raising pressures during diastole is which form of cardiomyopathy?

A. Acute pericarditis: Acute pericarditis is characterized by inflammation of the pericardium, often presenting with pleuritic chest pain, pericardial friction rub, and diffuse ST-segment elevations on ECG. It does not typically involve pericardial thickening or chronic symptoms such as pitting edema and dyspnea on exertion.

B. Constrictive pericarditis: Chronic pericarditis with pericardial thickening suggests constrictive pericarditis, a condition where the pericardium becomes rigid and fibrotic, impairing diastolic filling and leading to heart failure symptoms such as peripheral edema, crackles in the lungs, and dyspnea on exertion. The echocardiogram findings confirm this diagnosis.

C. Pericardial effusion: Pericardial effusion refers to the accumulation of excess fluid in the pericardial sac, which can lead to cardiac tamponade if severe. However, the presence of pericardial thickening rather than fluid accumulation suggests constrictive pericarditis rather than an isolated effusion.

D. Effusion-constrictive pericarditis: This condition involves both pericardial effusion and constrictive pericarditis. While it may share some features with constrictive pericarditis, the case description primarily highlights pericardial thickening rather than significant effusion, making constrictive pericarditis the more accurate diagnosis.

A. Aortic stenosis: Aortic stenosis can lead to heart failure due to left ventricular outflow obstruction, but it is not the most direct cause of pulmonary edema. This condition may present with other symptoms, such as chest pain or syncope, rather than fluid accumulation in the lungs.

B. Left-sided heart failure: Left-sided heart failure is a primary cause of pulmonary edema, as it leads to increased pressure in the pulmonary circulation and fluid leakage into the alveoli. Assessing for this condition is crucial, as it directly contributes to the patient's pulmonary edema and requires immediate management.

C. Mitral valve prolapse: Mitral valve prolapse can cause mitral regurgitation and lead to heart failure, but it is less commonly associated with acute pulmonary edema compared to left-sided heart failure. While assessment is important, it is not the priority in this scenario.

D. Right-sided heart failure: Right-sided heart failure typically leads to systemic congestion and peripheral edema rather than pulmonary edema. While it can coexist with left-sided heart failure, it is not the primary concern when assessing a patient specifically for pulmonary edema.