Asian Journal of Cardiology Research

Concomitant Pericardial Effusion and Pulmonary Embolism Secondary to a Systemic Lupus Erythematosus with Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome: A Rare Case Report

H. Choukrani *

Cardiology Department, Ibn Rochd University Hospital, Morocco.

S. Abouradi

Cardiology Department, Ibn Rochd University Hospital, Morocco.

Y. Ettagmouti

Cardiology Department, Ibn Rochd University Hospital, Morocco.

Y. Hamine

Cardiology Department, Ibn Rochd University Hospital, Morocco.

K. Boumlik

Cardiology Department, Ibn Rochd University Hospital, Morocco.

R. Habbal

Cardiology Department, Ibn Rochd University Hospital, Morocco.

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

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Abstract

Background: Association of pulmonary embolism and pericardial effusion is rarely described in the literature, it is associated in the majority of cases with a neoplastic origin followed by a tuberculous origin. Within the limits of our research, no cases of lupus associated with antiphospholipid syndrome have been reported.

Case Report: We illustrate a case of a 25-year-old patient, presenting with respiratory discomfort and palpitations and in whom echocardiography shows a pericardial tamponade. The realization of athoracic CT angiography shows a concomitant pulmonary embolism. The etiological assessment poses the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) associated to antiphospholipid antibody syndrome.

Conclusions: Pulmonary embolism and pericardial effusion can be life-threatening for the patient. This association highlights a difficult clinical dilemma with regard to anticoagulation in the presence of pericardial effusion, which remains a relative contraindication to anticoagulation.

Keywords: Pericardial effusion, pericardial tamponade, pulmonary embolism, systemic lupus erythematosus, antiphospholipid antibody syndrome

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