[Purulent pericardial effusion with tamponade: a rare initial manifestation of o pneumococcal infection].

HISTORY AND FINDINGS

A 70-year-old man, admitted for a haemorrhoid operation, suddenly went into circulatory shock (heart rate 150/min, blood pressure 100/70 mm Hg), necessitating transfer to an intensive care unit. His neck veins were prominent and he had a paradoxical pulse. Heart sounds were distant and there was an arrhythmia (atrial fibrillation in the ECG). No murmurs were heard. Breath sounds were decreased, especially in the lung bases.

INVESTIGATIONS

Differential blood count showed 30% stab cells with 12,200 white cells per microliter. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate was 118 mm in the first hour, C-reactive protein was raised to 11.8 mg/dl. There was a partially compensated respiratory acidosis (pH 7.12; pO 93.4 mm Hg; pCO 16.3 mm Hg; base deficit -22.6 mmol/l). In the chest radiogram the cardiac silhouette was greatly enlarged bilaterally. The echocardiogram demonstrated a large pericardial perfusion with a "swinging heart".

TREATMENT AND COURSE

At pericardial needle puncture 700 ml of amber-coloured fluid, containing pneumococci, were aspirated with immediate circulatory improvement. Penicillin, 10 mill.U twice daily for 13 days, was administered intravenously, followed by amoxycillin, 1 g three times daily by mouth, for a further 15 days. In addition he was given anti-inflammatory treatment with diclofenac and methylprednisolone. Despite this pericardial effusion recurred after 14 days and 600 ml of sterile fluid were removed. Subsequently the inflammatory signs disappeared. Three months later no effusion was present and there were no signs of constrictive pericarditis.