Cardiac tamponade in the early postpartum period as the presenting and predominant manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus.
Pericarditis is a common manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), however, tamponade seems to be extremely rare. A review of the English literature revealed 12 such cases and in 5 the tamponade was the presenting symptom of the disease. We describe an additional patient. She developed pericardial tamponade one week after delivery of a healthy child, and subsequently was diagnosed to have SLE. The effect of pregnancy and the postpartum period on SLE is discussed.
D000328:Adult; D002305:Cardiac Tamponade / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010493:Pericarditis / Q000209:etiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000209:etiology*