Editorial

Cardiac Tamponade: Still Being Newly Described

Authors: Byron Judson Colley, III, MD, Terrence X. O'Brien, MD

Abstract

As clinicians, we are intrigued by unusual cases and challenged by rapid management decisions required by difficult diagnoses. This case presented by Conley et al1 proves no exception and is remarkable as an uncommon cause of relatively common presentations that occur with metastatic disease to the heart. The authors succinctly review complications of a metastatic process involving several cardiac systems, in this case from Merkel cell carcinoma, emphasizing proper diagnostic and therapeutic decisions.

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References

1. Conley M, Hawkins K, Ririe D. Complete heart block and cardiac tamponade secondary to Merkel cell carcinoma cardiac metastases. South Med J 2006;99:74–78
 
2. Zayes R, Anguita M, Torres F, et al. Incidence of specific etiology and role of methods for specific etiologic diagnosis of primary acute pericarditis. Am J Cardiol 1995;75:378.
 
3. Satrista-Sauleda J, Angel J, Sanchez A. Effusive-Constrictive Pericarditis. N Engl J Med2004;350:469–475.
 
4. Bonnema DD, O’Brien TX. Pericarditis constrictive-effusive. eMedicine Journal>Medicine>Cardiology, Vol. 6, Number 5, June 22, 2005. Available at: http://www.emedicine.com. Accessed June 22, 2005.
 
5. Burke A, Virmani R. Tumors metastatic to the heart and pericardium. In Rosai J (ed): Atlas of Tumor Pathology. Washington DC, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, 1996, pp 195–209.
 
6. Taylor GJ, Kurent JE. A Clinician’s Guide to Palliative Care. Malden, Blackwell Publishing Co. 2003, pp 4–5.