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Cardiac tamponade: a life-threatening complication of Still's disease

F Najam1, H A Fuchs

  • 1Division of Rheumatology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, USA.

Journal of Clinical Rheumatology : Practical Reports on Rheumatic & Musculoskeletal Diseases
|October 14, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Still's disease can cause pericarditis, a rare but serious complication leading to cardiac tamponade. Early recognition and aggressive treatment, including corticosteroids and procedures, are crucial for managing this life-threatening condition.

Area of Science:

  • Rheumatology
  • Cardiology
  • Internal Medicine

Background:

  • Pericarditis is a common manifestation in both adult-onset and juvenile-onset Still's disease.
  • Cardiac tamponade is a rare but severe complication of pericarditis in Still's disease.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report cases of Still's disease presenting with pericardial tamponade.
  • To emphasize the importance of early identification and aggressive management of pericarditis and tamponade in Still's disease.

Main Methods:

  • Case report of two patients (one juvenile-onset, one adult-onset Still's disease) with pericardial tamponade.
  • Literature review on pericarditis and cardiac tamponade in Still's disease.

Main Results:

  • Both reported patients with Still's disease developed life-threatening pericardial tamponade.
  • Literature analysis supports the association between Still's disease and pericardial complications.

Conclusions:

  • Early identification of pericarditis and tamponade in Still's disease is vital.
  • Aggressive intervention with corticosteroids and procedures like pericardiocentesis or pericardial window formation is recommended.
  • Still's disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis for patients presenting with pericarditis and tamponade.

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