Cardiac tamponade as an initial manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

Clinical manifestations of pericardial disease may precede other signs and symptoms associated with systemic lupus erythematosus. Although pericardial effusion is one of the most common cardiac problems in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, haemodynamically significant effusions manifesting as cardiac tamponade are rare and require prompt diagnosis and treatment. Copyright 2012 BMJ Publishing Group. All rights reserved.