Pericarditis after trauma resulting in delayed cardiac tamponade.
Pericarditis complicating cardiac trauma and resulting in tamponade is uncommon. Possible causes include an autoimmune reaction or an inflammatory response to blood entering the pericardium. We present two patients, one with effusive and one with constrictive pericarditis occurring within 2 weeks of a penetrating trauma close to but not directly involving the heart. These cases illustrate the importance of clinical suspicion and aggressive management in the diagnosis and management of such patients.
Department of Surgery, Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, Washington 98104, USA. karmy@u.washington.edu
Riyad
R
Karmy-Jones
Tina
T
Yen
Carol
C
Cornejo
D000328:Adult; D002305:Cardiac Tamponade / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D006335:Heart Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000601:surgery; D010491:Pericardial Window Techniques; D010493:Pericarditis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D013997:Time Factors; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery