A case report of systemic lupus erythematosus with severe pulmonary hypertension presenting as large pericardial effusion with early signs of cardiac tamponade: a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Pulmonary hypertension is defined as resting arterial pressure >20 mmHg. Cardiac tamponade is a medical emergency where fluids accumulate in the pericardial sac compressing the heart pericardium leading to heart failure. Pericardiocentesis is challenging in patients with cardiac tamponade and severe pulmonary hypertension due to the risk of catastrophic haemodynamic collapse.

Case summary

An 18-year-old female who was recently diagnosed to have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) presented to the emergency department with shortness of breath, chest pain, fever, and fatigue. The physical examination revealed tachycardia, muffled heart sounds, and distended jugular venous pulse. Chest X-ray showed cardiomegaly, and transthoracic echocardiography showed a large circum

SUBMITTER: Alghamdi AI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11487483 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature