An unusual presentation of cardiac tamponade associated with Epstein-Barr virus infection

Abstract

We present a case of an 80-year-old woman who presented with a dry cough, shortness of breath and general malaise. She had presented 5 days previously with a sore throat, feeling feverish and with non-specific symptoms. Her background included paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and hypertension. She was initially thought to have decompensated heart failure secondary to atrial fibrillation and was initiated on diuretic therapy. However, a transthoracic echocardiogram performed revealed collapse of the right ventricle and a swinging heart, suggestive of cardiac tamponade. The patient underwent therapeutic pericardiocentesis where 700 mL of exudative, blood-stained fluid was drained. Subsequent testing of the pericardial fluid revealed the presence of Epstein-Barr virus DNA. Serial follow-up transthoracic echocardiograms revealed resolution of the pericardial effusion and the patient remained asymptomatic.