Pericardial Tamponade following Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Diagnostic Journey

Background. Pericardial tamponade is a known life-threatening condition rarely reported in COVID-19 but has not been reported following asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. Its pathomechanism is still elusive. Case Summary. We report the case of a 66-year-old man with progressive shortness of breath a...

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Main Authors: Christian Birner, Matthias Gasche, Rainer Voisard, Christian Neumann
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2022-01-01
Series:Case Reports in Cardiology
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2022/1332844
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author Christian Birner
Matthias Gasche
Rainer Voisard
Christian Neumann
author_facet Christian Birner
Matthias Gasche
Rainer Voisard
Christian Neumann
author_sort Christian Birner
collection DOAJ
description Background. Pericardial tamponade is a known life-threatening condition rarely reported in COVID-19 but has not been reported following asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. Its pathomechanism is still elusive. Case Summary. We report the case of a 66-year-old man with progressive shortness of breath and leg swelling due to new-onset heart failure and pericardial tamponade following asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. Ultrasound-guided placement of a pericardial drainage led to significant improvement of symptoms and revealed an exudative effusion. Throughout the diagnostic process, we were confronted with a systemic inflammatory syndrome suspicion of an induced autoimmune condition. After steroid pulse therapy and oral anticoagulation for subclavian vein thrombosis, the patient was discharged and followed in our outpatient clinic. Discussion. Patients with asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection are at risk for developing life-threatening complications. Induced autoimmune conditions could be a potential explanation for late-onset pericardial tamponade in this population. A multimodal imaging approach is crucial in the diagnosis and characterization of cardiac inflammation. An interdisciplinary approach is essential. Awareness of uncommon cardiac complications following a SARS-CoV-2 infection is crucial for the initial assessment and the appropriate treatment of these patients.
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spelling doaj-art-22e4b99dc4a844ba8139f54fcaadf0322025-08-20T03:54:48ZengWileyCase Reports in Cardiology2090-64122022-01-01202210.1155/2022/1332844Pericardial Tamponade following Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Diagnostic JourneyChristian Birner0Matthias Gasche1Rainer Voisard2Christian Neumann3Joint Medical Service (Germany)Joint Medical Service (Germany)Joint Medical Service (Germany)Joint Medical Service (Germany)Background. Pericardial tamponade is a known life-threatening condition rarely reported in COVID-19 but has not been reported following asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. Its pathomechanism is still elusive. Case Summary. We report the case of a 66-year-old man with progressive shortness of breath and leg swelling due to new-onset heart failure and pericardial tamponade following asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. Ultrasound-guided placement of a pericardial drainage led to significant improvement of symptoms and revealed an exudative effusion. Throughout the diagnostic process, we were confronted with a systemic inflammatory syndrome suspicion of an induced autoimmune condition. After steroid pulse therapy and oral anticoagulation for subclavian vein thrombosis, the patient was discharged and followed in our outpatient clinic. Discussion. Patients with asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection are at risk for developing life-threatening complications. Induced autoimmune conditions could be a potential explanation for late-onset pericardial tamponade in this population. A multimodal imaging approach is crucial in the diagnosis and characterization of cardiac inflammation. An interdisciplinary approach is essential. Awareness of uncommon cardiac complications following a SARS-CoV-2 infection is crucial for the initial assessment and the appropriate treatment of these patients.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2022/1332844
spellingShingle Christian Birner
Matthias Gasche
Rainer Voisard
Christian Neumann
Pericardial Tamponade following Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Diagnostic Journey
Case Reports in Cardiology
title Pericardial Tamponade following Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Diagnostic Journey
title_full Pericardial Tamponade following Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Diagnostic Journey
title_fullStr Pericardial Tamponade following Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Diagnostic Journey
title_full_unstemmed Pericardial Tamponade following Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Diagnostic Journey
title_short Pericardial Tamponade following Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Diagnostic Journey
title_sort pericardial tamponade following asymptomatic sars cov 2 infection a diagnostic journey
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2022/1332844
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