title: Acute pericarditis with a symptomatic pericardial effusion complicating pregnancy. A case report.
abstract: A 30-year-old, white woman, gravida 4, para 2, abortus 1, was hospitalized at 21 weeks' gestation because of a symptomatic pericardial effusion. Extensive evaluation including pericardial biopsy failed to reveal a specific cause. Treatment with pericardiotomy and intrapericardial hydrocortisone was followed by relief of symptoms. The remainder of the pregnancy was uneventful. Idiopathic pericardial effusion in pregnancy is a rare problem, and the proper approach to evaluation and treatment is not known. We present an approach that resulted in a favorable outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Northeast Ohio Universities College of Medicine, Akron City Hospital, Akron.
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Hagley
authors.forename: T F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Shaub
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D010493:Pericarditis / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000628:therapy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second