title: New development of cardiac tamponade on underlying effusive-constrictive pericarditis: an uncommon initial presentation of scleroderma.
abstract: A 40-year-old man with a medical history of hypertension was admitted for weight loss, generalised weakness, joint pains and mottling of fingertips. The initial laboratory data revealed microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia, thrombocytopenia and acute renal failure. Intravenous steroids were started for possible diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus based on admission assessment. Intravenous immunoglobulin and plasmapharesis were subsequently added to the treatment plan to cover thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura while his autoimmune panel was pending. The echocardiogram study on day 2 revealed cardiac tamponade for which he underwent pericardiocentesis and right heart catheterisation. The atrial waveforms postpericardiocentesis demonstrated effusive-constrictive pericarditis. His clinical condition kept on deteriorating with reaccumulation of pericardial effusion and further complicated by hemoperitoneum and colonic obstruction. He had cardiorespiratory arrest on his fourth admission day and was not revived. Anti-Scl-70 antibody came back positive. Autopsy findings confirmed the presence of fibrinous pericarditis and hemoperitoneum.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York, USA. sushrutha2k@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Stalin R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Subramanian
authors.forename: Rakhshanda
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Akram
authors.forename: Arash
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Velayati
authors.forename: Hal
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chadow
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002305:Cardiac Tamponade / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010494:Pericarditis, Constrictive / Q000150:complications; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*