Hemodialysis-Related Pericarditis With Cardiac Tamponade

Abstract

Pericarditis can cause chest symptoms in dialysis patients. Moreover, it tends to present with various symptoms other than chest pain in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) than in non-ESRD patients. Here, we present the case of an 86-year-old man on maintenance dialysis who was admitted to the hospital with chest discomfort and dyspnea, which led to cardiac tamponade due to unexplained pericardial effusion. The patient underwent pericardial drainage with an epigastric approach. Based on his medical history and pericardial fluid examination, his condition was diagnosed as dialysis-related pericarditis. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and prednisolone administration improved the patient's condition. There are various causes of pericarditis in patients undergoing hemodialysis. It is crucial to examine the patient's clinical presentation and pericardial fluid volume to clarify the cause of the disease.