Pyopericardium progressing to cardiac tamponade in a patient with dengue fever
Bikash Khadka,
Kishor Khanal,
Ashim Regmi,
Anup Ghimire,
Shirish KC,
Rohini Nepal
Affiliations
Bikash Khadka
Nepal Mediciti, Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, Nepal; Correspondence to: Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, Nepal Mediciti, Nakhu, Nepal.
Kishor Khanal
Nepal Mediciti, Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, Nepal
Ashim Regmi
Nepal Mediciti, Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, Nepal
Anup Ghimire
Nepal Mediciti, Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, Nepal
Shirish KC
Department of Clinical Research, Doctors on Wheels, Kathmandu, Nepal
Rohini Nepal
Department of Clinical Research, Doctors on Wheels, Kathmandu, Nepal
Pyopericardium is a rare cause of cardiac tamponade. We present a case of a dengue fever patient who presented with cellulitis of the upper limbs, later manifesting cardiac tamponade, which was fatal. Although echocardiography on admission revealed a small pericardial effusion only, it later manifested as tamponade, causing cardiogenic shock. Staphylococcus pyopericardium was found later. Early identification could be possible with bedside point-of-care ultrasonography and echocardiography. Emergent pericardiocentesis or pig tail drain placement is life saving.
