Background Pericardiectomy has been demonstrated to be an effective treatment of chronic constrictive pericarditis, but certain perioperative risk factors affect its postoperative short-term and long-term mortality. Objective Identification of perioperative risk factors benefits reasonable evaluation of perioperative risk and amelioration of management strategies. Content Based on etiology, pericardial calcification, cardiac-disease-related factors, internal environmental factors, comorbidities, surgery-related factors and other categories, this review analyzes the risk factors contributing to poor short-term and long-term outcome. Trend Since present studies focus on preoperative factors, further studies concerning on intra- and post-operative ones could deepen the knowledge of perioperative risk factors of pericardiectomy.