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Case report
Purulent pericarditis, an unusual cause of cardiac arrest
  1. Kevin Green1,
  2. Stephanie Rothweiler2,
  3. Barrett Attarha3 and
  4. Vandana Kavita Seeram4
  1. 1Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, University of Florida Health at Jacksonville, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
  2. 2Internal Medicine, University of Florida Health at Jacksonville, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
  3. 3Internal Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
  4. 4Pulmonary/Critical Care, University of Florida, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
  1. Correspondence to Dr Kevin Green; Kevin.Green{at}jax.ufl.edu

Abstract

Purulent pericarditis is a rare infection of the pericardial space defined by the presence of gross pus or microscopic purulence. Here, we present a case of Streptococcus anginosus purulent pericarditis, leading to obstructive and septic shock. After prompt pericardial drainage, the patient experienced rapid improvement in symptoms. However, due to the presence of a loculated effusion and concern for development of constrictive pericarditis, a pericardial window was performed. Although purulent pericarditis is often fatal, this case illustrates the reduced morbidity following prompt recognition and drainage.

  • adult intensive care
  • infectious diseases
  • pericardial disease

https://doi.org/10.1136/bcr-2021-245833

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    Footnotes

    • Contributors KG provided the design of the work, oversaw data collection and interpretation, and performed final revisions of the article. BA and SR each were involved in data collection and interpreation and drafting of the article. VKS was integral to the critical revision of the article, final approval of the version to be published.

    • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

    • Competing interests None declared.

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.