Conductor John Mauceri, 78, faced an unexpected health crisis after contracting COVID-19 in December 2023. The viral pneumonia and severe lung disease led to the removal of three liters of liquid from his right lung. Weeks later, Mauceri gained rapid weight due to swelling in his legs and abdomen, forcing him to stop conducting.
Mauceri’s care team was baffled by the symptoms, which included fatigue and shortness of breath. An MRI and cardiac catheterization revealed no signs of heart disease or cancer recurrence. Dr. Adam Skolnick proposed that Mauceri might have pericardial constriction, a rare condition caused by scarring around the heart.
After weeks of searching for a diagnosis, Mauceri underwent open-heart surgery to confirm the diagnosis and treat the condition. Surgeon Eugene Grossi found Mauceri’s “heart trapped” inside a thick shell of scarring. The procedure, called a pericardiectomy, involved scraping off the scarring and removing it from the heart.
Mauceri made a remarkable recovery, losing weight and regaining his strength. He was finally able to conduct an orchestra again in December 2024, with performances in London, Paris, and Japan. Mauceri attributes his newfound endurance to the surgery, saying “every day is a miracle” and thanking his doctors for giving him extra time.
Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/john-mauceri-pericardial-constriction-nyu-langone-heart-health