Korean J Aerosp Environ Med.  2022 Apr;32(1):34-36. 10.46246/KJAsEM.220007.

A Case of Pericardial Effusion after Acute Myocardial Infarction

• Kwon YH

• KMID: 2539366
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.46246/KJAsEM.220007

Abstract

Pericardial effusion and subsequent cardiac tamponade are recognized as infrequent complications of a ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) causing hemodynamic instability. The cause of pericarditis is mostly idiopathic which makes up around 90% of cases. Other causes are infections caused by viruses, bacteria or tuberculosis. Other causes could include neoplasms, a connective tissue disorder, renal failure, post-myocardial infarction (also known as Dressler syndrome), open heart surgery (also known as the postpericardiotomy syndrome) and drugs. Acute myocardial infarction is a significant cause of the pilot incapacitation. Pericardial effusion after treatment for acute myocardial infarction is a factor that worsens the prognosis. I present the case of a pilot with a STEMI which was treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to proximal left circumflex artery. After PCI, the pilot went on to develop pericardial effusion with tamponade.

Keyword

ST elevation myocardial infarction; Pericardial effusion; Pilots; Physical examination