Related Experiment Videos
Hemorrhagic cardiac tamponade: a clinicopathologic correlation.
Mayo Clinic Proceedings
|November 1, 1984
Summary
A man with Staphylococcus aureus pericarditis experienced recurrent cardiac tamponade and died from exsanguination due to a ruptured aortic pseudoaneurysm. Undetermined hemorrhagic pericardial effusions warrant evaluation of the heart and great vessels.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pathology
Background:
- Staphylococcus aureus can cause severe cardiac infections.
- Hemorrhagic pericardial effusion can lead to cardiac tamponade.
Observation:
- A 31-year-old male presented with Staphylococcus aureus pericarditis and recurrent hemorrhagic cardiac tamponade.
- The patient ultimately died of exsanguination.
Findings:
- Autopsy revealed a ruptured infective pseudoaneurysm of the aortic arch as the cause of hemorrhage.
- This case highlights a rare but fatal complication of S. aureus infection.
Implications:
- Hemorrhagic pericardial effusions of unknown etiology require thorough investigation of cardiac and great vessel sources.
- Early identification of aortic pseudoaneurysms is critical in patients with unexplained pericardial hemorrhage.