The authors describe the disease of a 22-year-old woman treated from the age of 13 years on account of Hodgkin's lymphoma by irradiation and cytostatic treatment. On account of a relapse of lymphoma at the age of 14 years megachemotherapy with subsequent transplantation of autologous bone marrow. In the course of eight years of the follow up gradual development of constrictive pericarditis with exsudate. Concurrently progression of mitral insufficiency based on valvular prolapse resulting from radiation. During the last two years refractory systemic hypertension resistant to treatment. At the peak of the disease development of cardiac tamponade and cardiac cachexia with anasarca. After anamnestic, clinical and haemodynamic analysis total pericardetomy was indicated and mitral valve replacement performed. The operation led to improvement of the patient's condition, systemic hypertension receded completely. The patient is in permanent remission.