title: Cardiac tamponade and pericardial disorders in connective tissue diseases: case report and literature review.
abstract: Pericardial disorders occurring in connective tissue diseases are not uncommon and may present as acute or chronic pericarditis with or without an effusion. In many instances, a diagnosis of pericardial involvement is not found until autopsy. Echocardiography and other currently employed radiographic techniques have enhanced the ability to make a diagnosis. Approximate frequencies of common connective tissue disorders with pericardial involvement include scleroderma (59%), systemic lupus erythematosus (44%), mixed connective tissue disease (30%), rheumatoid arthritis (24%), and polymyositis/dermatomyositis (11%). Cardiac tamponade or constriction is rare. This article describes a patient with clinical features consistent with mixed connective tissue disease that presented with a pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade. In addition, a review of pericardial involvement in connective tissue diseases and the occurrence of cardiac tamponade or constriction is included.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, East Carolina University School of Medicine, Greenville, North Carolina 27858-4354.
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Langley
authors.forename: E L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Treadwell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002305:Cardiac Tamponade / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008947:Mixed Connective Tissue Disease / Q000150:complications*; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000209:etiology*