Cardiac Tamponade as an Initial Presentation of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Case Report

Saifat Ullah khan¹, Muftah Othman¹, Zishan Nasir², Syed Hidayat Ali³, Fahad Zamir⁴, Nour jaouni⁴

Keywords: Systemic lupus erythematosus, cardiac tamponade, lupus nephritis, pericardiocentesis, pericarditis

DOI: 10.63475/yjm.v4i3.0254

DOI URL: https://doi.org/10.63475/yjm.v4i3.0254

Publish Date: 31-12-2025

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Pages: 644 - 647

Views: 5

Downloads: 4

Citation: 0

Author Affiliation:

1 Senior Consultant, Nephology Unit, Hazm Mebaireek Hospital, Doha, Qatar
2 Associate Consultant, Nephology Unit, Hazm Mebaireek Hospital, Doha, Qatar
3 Specialist, Nephology Unit, Hazm Mebaireek Hospital, Doha, Qatar
4 Medical Student, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, Doha, Qatar

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that can affect any organ in the body. Patients with SLE may present with a wide range of cardiac symptoms due to the involvement of the pericardium, myocardium, heart valves, conduction system, and coronary arteries. Pericarditis and pericardial effusion are some of the most frequently encountered cardiac complications in SLE. Cardiac tamponade as the first presenting sign of SLE is rare, but it is crucial to identify it promptly to ensure timely treatment. We report a case of a 37-year-old male who was admitted with a 1-month history of progressive shortness of breath and chest pain. He had swellings on his face and feet and gave a history of passing foamy urine. Echocardiography confirmed cardiac tamponade. Additional laboratory investigations demonstrated low C3 and C4 complements, positive antinuclear antibodies (ANA), anti-dsDNA, and anti-Smith antibodies. His renal biopsy revealed features of diffuse proliferative and membranous lupus nephritis with cellular crescents. After undergoing an emergency echo-guided pericardiocentesis, he was treated with intravenous methylprednisolone, oral prednisolone, mycophenolate mofetil, and hydroxychloroquine. He was released from the hospital and is now being followed as an outpatient in the nephrology clinic.

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