Pericardial decompression syndrome in a patient with hypothyroidism presenting as massive pericardial effusion: a case report and review of related literature

BMJ Case Rep. 2011 Oct 4:2011:bcr0420114117. doi: 10.1136/bcr.04.2011.4117.

Abstract

The authors present a case of a 44-year-old female with unrecognised hypothyroidism consulting for heart failure symptoms. Echocardiogram revealed massive pericardial effusion with tamponade physiology, attributed to primary hypothyroidism from a previous thyroidectomy. Levothyroxine was started at a dose of 0.7 ug/kg/day followed by subxiphoid pericardiostomy. 9 h postpericardiostomy however, hypotension developed and despite hydration and inotropic support, patient succumbed to cardiogenic shock on the 14th hospital day.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Echocardiography
  • Electrocardiography
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Goiter / surgery
  • Humans
  • Hypothyroidism / complications*
  • Hypothyroidism / diagnosis
  • Hypothyroidism / drug therapy
  • Pericardial Effusion / diagnosis
  • Pericardial Effusion / etiology*
  • Pericardial Effusion / surgery
  • Pericardial Window Techniques
  • Radiography, Thoracic
  • Syndrome
  • Thyroid Function Tests
  • Thyroidectomy