Spontaneous Hemopericardium Leading to Cardiac Tamponade in a Patient with Essential Thrombocythemia

Abstract

Acute cardiac tamponade requires urgent diagnosis and treatment. Spontaneous hemopericardium leading to cardiac tamponade as an initial manifestation of essential thrombocythemia (ET) has never been reported in the literature. We report a case of a 72-year-old Caucasian female who presented with spontaneous hemopericardium and tamponade requiring emergent pericardiocentesis. The patient was subsequently diagnosed to have ET. ET is characterized by elevated platelet counts that can lead to thrombosis but paradoxically it can also lead to a bleeding diathesis. Physicians should be aware of this complication so that timely life-saving measures can be taken if this complication arises.

Echocardiography and Laboratory Factors Associated With Prolonged Postoperative Pericardial Effusion

“…Thrombocytopenia associated with pericarditis is described in a very small number of reports. 9,10 However, aside from the well-known role of platelets in hemostasis, lately they have been linked to inflammation as well. For instance, studies have shown that platelets promote inflammatory response in atherosclerosis.…”

Paradoxes in dermatology

“…This is due to an acquired von Willebrand disease (loss of large von Willebrand factor multimers that results in its functional defect) and/or qualitative platelet defects (acquired storage pool disorder). [37]…”

Pericardiocentesis in patients with thrombocytopenia and high international normalized ratio: Case report and review of the literature

“…It may also occur due to bleeding diathesis in patients with certain type of hematological disorders or congenital coagulation defects [7]. A number of factors might have contributed to the pericardial effusion and tamponade in our patient.…”