Coexistent transient pulmonary edema and pericardial effusion

Eight (23%) of 35 children with acute pericardial effusions due to infection or juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) had associated transient pulmonary edema demonstrated on plain chest radiographs. The presence or absence of radiographic pulmonary edema correlated well with clinical and hemodynamic parameters in patients with JRA but not in those with infectious pericarditis. There was no definite relationship between radiographic edema and amount of pericardial fluid as estimated echocardiographically or removed at pericardiocentesis. Rapidity of pericardial fluid accumulation could not be assessed in this study. Children of young age with underlying JRA were the most likely subjects to have radiographic pulmonary edema in conjunction with an acute pericardial effusion.