Authors: Hiroko Imadachi Shunsuke Imadachi Tomohiro Koga Taichiro Miyashita Yasumori Izumi Hayato Takayama Chikaaki Nakamichi Masayoshi Hamawaki Hiroshi Yamaguchi Seiji Matsukuma Masahiro Ito Kazushige Maeda Satoru Motokawa Osamu Sasaki Kiysohi Migita
Publish Date: 2009/07/08
Volume: 30, Issue: 8, Pages: 1103-1106
Abstract
Rheumatoid pericarditis occurs in patients with rheumatoid arthritis RA However cardiac tamponade due to rheumatoid pericarditis is rare we describe a case of a 72yearold man with a 6year history of rheumatoid arthritis who developed rheumatoid pericarditis with recurrent cardiac tamponade The patient experienced relapse of the cardiac tamponade despite treatment with pericardiocentesis Therefore the patient underwent surgical pericardial drainage The patient was also subsequently treated with increasing doses of corticosteroid methotrexate and leukocytapheresis These treatments resulted in a successful outcome without any complication This case suggests that in addition to immunosuppressive therapy pericardial drainage should be considered in the treatment of lifethreatening refractory cardiac tamponade caused by rheumatoid arthritis
Keywords: