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Effusive-constrictive cholesterol pericarditis: a case report
Shergill, Simran Davies, James Cairns, Naomi
Shergill, Simran
Davies, James
Cairns, Naomi
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South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust
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Publication date
2020-12-11
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Abstract
Background: Cholesterol pericarditis (CP) remains a rare pericardial disease characterized by chronic pericardial effusions with high cholesterol concentrations with or without the formation of cholesterol crystals. Effusions are often large and can cause ventricular compression and subsequent pericardial adhesion formation. CP can be idiopathic but has associations with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), tuberculosis and hypothyroidism.
Case summary: We present a case of a 72-year-old male with a background of seropositive RA with a finding of an incidental pericardial effusion on computed tomography thorax abdomen and pelvis. Transthoracic echocardiogram demonstrated a large effusion with echocardiographic features of tamponade. On review, he was breathless with a raised venous pressure, bilateral ankle oedema, and pulsus paradoxus was present. Pericardial drainage was performed with fluid analysis demonstrating a cholesterol concentration of 8.3 mmol/L and numerous cholesterol crystal formation. Interval imaging demonstrated recurrence of the effusion with pericardial thickening and progressive constriction. He remained asymptomatic and underwent a successful pericardial window. At present, he is under close clinical outpatient surveillance with symptoms guiding a future pericardiectomy if warranted.
Discussion: CP can present as an emergent situation with signs and symptoms of acute heart failure with prompt pericardiocentesis required in cases of clinical tamponade. However, the disease course is often one of chronicity with relapsing large effusions that tend to recur following drainage, with the development of pericardial constriction necessitating pericardiectomy for definitive management.
Citation
Shergill S, Davies J, Cairns N. Effusive-constrictive cholesterol pericarditis: a case report. Eur Heart J Case Rep. 2020 Dec
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Article