Open AccessPericardial effusion as a complication of chronic graft versus host disease
Author(s) -
Keaton Nasser,
Kshipra Joshi,
Ella Starobinska
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
bmj case reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.231
H-Index - 26
ISSN - 1757-790X
DOI - 10.1136/bcr-2018-227507
Subject(s) - medicine , pericardiocentesis , pericardial effusion , cardiac tamponade , complication , surgery , angiology , serositis , graft versus host disease , pericardial window , disease , transplantation
A 24-year-old man with previous matched unrelated donor allogenic bone marrow transplant for aplastic anaemia and chronic graft versus host disease on steroid taper presented with progressively worsening anasarca. CT revealed large pericardial effusion, while echocardiogram was concerning for early tamponade physiology. He underwent emergent pericardiocentesis with pericardial drain placement. Extensive rheumatological and infectious work-up was unrevealing with patient's presentation attributed to pericardial graft versus host disease. This highlights the need of physicians to be aware of pericardial serositis as a complication of graft versus host disease due to its life-threatening complications, which require immediate intervention.