In patients with constrictive pericarditis, which of the following does NOT serve as a cause?

In constrictive pericarditis, the pericardial sac becomes thickened and fibrotic, leading to impaired filling of the heart during diastole. The most common causes of this condition include infections (particularly tuberculosis), prior cardiac surgery, radiation therapy, and various inflammatory diseases.

Infective endocarditis typically causes damage primarily to the heart valves and is associated with valvular dysfunction rather than structural changes in the pericardium itself. Although it may lead to secondary complications that can affect the heart, it is not directly associated with the development of constrictive pericarditis.

On the other hand, rheumatic heart disease is known to lead to inflammatory changes in the heart, which can contribute to pericarditis. Similarly, radiation therapy has been established as a risk factor for later development of constrictive pericarditis due to scarring and fibrosis of the pericardium. Tuberculosis is a well-recognized infectious cause of constrictive pericarditis, especially in regions where the disease is prevalent.

Therefore, among the listed options, infective endocarditis does not serve as a cause of constrictive pericarditis.