Interv Akut Kardiol. 2008;7(4):152-154

Pericarditis purulenta

Radomír Šimek, Jiří Malý, Peter Telekes, et al

Kardiologické oddělení, Krajská nemocnice Liberec

Purulent pericarditis is a rare disease which may cause cardiac tamponade. It often develops in the presence of a coexistent local or systemic infection, but origin of infection can be obscure too. Mortality of untreated disease is high. Early diagnosis of purulent pericarditis is essential to survival. Echocardiography and pericardial fluid analysis is important for early diagnosis. Therapy consists of acute pericardial drainage, administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics and early chirurgical approach with pericardectomy in order to avoid further progress of constrictive pericarditis.

We present a case of a 37-year old male with clinical and ultrasonographic evidence of cardiac tamponade due to Staphylococcal suppurative pericarditis. Despite of performed pericardial drainage clinical signs of cardiac tamponade reappeared, and patient underwent urgent pericardiotomy followed subtotal pericardectomy after short time. Reoperation after 3 months did not show any signs of pericardial inflammation. As probable cause of development of purulent pericarditis was identified systemic administration of corticosteroid drugs. Detailed investigation did not find infectious focus.

Keywords: purulent pericarditis, Staphylococcus aureus, treatment

Published: December 20, 2008  Show citation