Pericarditis: complication of esophageal sclerotherapy. A report of three cases
Insights
Esophageal sclerotherapy for bleeding varices can cause acute pericarditis. This complication, though rare, should be considered in patients experiencing chest pain after the procedure.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Cardiology
Background:
- Esophageal varices are a serious complication of liver disease, often leading to bleeding.
- Esophageal sclerotherapy is a common endoscopic treatment for bleeding varices.
Observation:
- Three patients undergoing esophageal sclerotherapy developed acute pericarditis.
- One patient required pericardiocentesis for pericarditis management.
Findings:
- Acute pericarditis is a previously unreported complication of esophageal sclerotherapy.
- Two patients experienced spontaneous resolution of pericarditis.
Implications:
- Clinicians should consider acute pericarditis in the differential diagnosis of post-sclerotherapy chest pain.
- This finding may influence patient monitoring and management protocols following esophageal sclerotherapy.
Abstract:
Three patients developed acute pericarditis while undergoing esophageal sclerotherapy for bleeding varices. One patient required pericardiocentesis and the other 2 patients had spontaneous resolution of the pericarditis. This previously unreported complication of sclerotherapy must be considered in the differential diagnosis of those patients who develop postsclerotherapy chest pain.
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