Echocardiography of isolated subacute left heart tamponade in a patient with cor pulmonale and circumferential pericardial effusion

Cardiovasc Ultrasound. 2010 Jul 14:8:27. doi: 10.1186/1476-7120-8-27.

Abstract

Patients with advanced idiopathic pulmonary artery hypertension have often a chronic pericardial effusion. It is the result of increased transudation and impaired re-absorption due to elevated venous pressure. These patients have pre-existent symptoms and signs of chronic right heart failure. High degree of suspicion is required to detect of development of an atypical form of tamponade with isolated compression of left heart chambers as shown in present case report. Transthoracic echocardiography provides a rapid access to the correct diagnosis, a prompt relief of symptoms following the ultrasound guided pericardiocentesis and important diagnostic tool for regular follow up of patients thereafter as shown in our case report.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Cardiac Tamponade / complications
  • Cardiac Tamponade / diagnostic imaging*
  • Chronic Disease
  • Echocardiography*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pericardial Effusion / complications*
  • Pulmonary Heart Disease / complications*