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Haemorrhagic pericardial effusion in an asbestos worker

A Roggeri1, C Tomasi, A Cavazza

  • 1UO di Pneumologia, Arcispedale S. Maria Nuova, Viale Risorgimento 80, 42100 Reggio Emilia, Italy. roggeri.alberto@asmn.re.it

La Medicina Del Lavoro
|October 7, 2003
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Occupational asbestos exposure can cause rare cases of pericardial effusion. Diagnosis requires excluding other causes, highlighting the importance of a detailed occupational history for patients with unexplained pericardial effusion.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Occupational Medicine
  • Pulmonology

Background:

  • Occupational asbestos exposure is linked to pleural and lung diseases, with rare associations to peritoneal and pericardial conditions.
  • Benign pericardial effusion due to asbestos exposure is exceedingly rare in medical literature.

Observation:

  • A case of hemorrhagic pericardial effusion in a patient with occupational asbestos exposure, pre-existing aortic regurgitation, and pleural plaques is presented.
  • The patient showed no signs of interstitial lung disease from asbestosis.

Findings:

  • Extensive clinical and instrumental evaluations ruled out common causes of pericardial effusion.
  • Surgical assessment during aortic valve replacement revealed no signs of aortic dissection or hematoma.
  • A nine-year follow-up confirmed no recurrence of pericardial effusion.

Implications:

  • Asbestos-related pericardial effusion, though rare, should be considered in patients with a history of occupational asbestos exposure.
  • Diagnosis is one of exclusion, lacking specific clinical or pathological markers.
  • Obtaining a thorough occupational history is crucial for diagnosing pericardial effusion of unknown etiology.

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