R P Goswami1, G Sircar1, A Ghosh1, P Ghosh1. 1. From the Department of Rheumatology, Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research, Kolkata 700107, West Bengal, India.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cardiac tamponade is a rare but life-threatening complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). AIMS/ OBJECTIVES: To describe incidence, risk factors and treatment of cardiac tamponade in a large cohort of Indian patients with SLE. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted at the Department of Rheumatology, IPGMER, Kolkata, India from May 2014 to December 2016 on admitted patients with SLE. Lupus-related serositis was diagnosed after excluding other causes, such as infection, malignancy or heart failure. RESULTS: Of 409 patients with SLE, pericarditis was diagnosed in 25.4% (104/409) and cardiac tamponade in 5.9% (24/409). Tamponade was the presenting feature of SLE in 50% (12/24). Tamponade occurred in 77.8% (14/18) of large effusions and in 11.63% (10/86) of small-to-moderate effusions. The commonest autoantibody in serum and pericardial fluid was anti-nucleosme antibody. Large pericardial effusion (>20 mm) (Odd's ratio (OR): 93.2, 95% confidence interval (CI): 11.1-782.5, P < 0.001) predicted tamponade. In the subset of patients with small-to-moderate sized pericardial effusion, tamponade was associated with pleuritis (OR: 44.5, 95% CI: 1.6-1243, P = 0.025), anti-nucleosome antibody (OR: 42.9, 95% CI: 1.6-1176, P = 0.026) and size of pericardial effusion (OR: 1.36, 95% CI: 1.04-1.76, P = 0.025). Repeated pericardiocentesis was required in 3 patients and one needed surgical intervention. Immunosuppressives used were: prednisolone with monthly intravenous cyclophosphamide (in 33.33%) and intravenous methylprednisolone with monthly cyclophosphamide (in 50%). CONCLUSIONS: Pleuritis, anti-nucleosome antibody and size of pericardial effusion predicted development of tamponade. High dose immunosuppression (methylprednisolone and IV cyclophosphamide) alleviated need for surgery in majority.
BACKGROUND: Cardiac tamponade is a rare but life-threatening complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). AIMS/ OBJECTIVES: To describe incidence, risk factors and treatment of cardiac tamponade in a large cohort of Indian patients with SLE. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted at the Department of Rheumatology, IPGMER, Kolkata, India from May 2014 to December 2016 on admitted patients with SLE. Lupus-related serositis was diagnosed after excluding other causes, such as infection, malignancy or heart failure. RESULTS: Of 409 patients with SLE, pericarditis was diagnosed in 25.4% (104/409) and cardiac tamponade in 5.9% (24/409). Tamponade was the presenting feature of SLE in 50% (12/24). Tamponade occurred in 77.8% (14/18) of large effusions and in 11.63% (10/86) of small-to-moderate effusions. The commonest autoantibody in serum and pericardial fluid was anti-nucleosme antibody. Large pericardial effusion (>20 mm) (Odd's ratio (OR): 93.2, 95% confidence interval (CI): 11.1-782.5, P < 0.001) predicted tamponade. In the subset of patients with small-to-moderate sized pericardial effusion, tamponade was associated with pleuritis (OR: 44.5, 95% CI: 1.6-1243, P = 0.025), anti-nucleosome antibody (OR: 42.9, 95% CI: 1.6-1176, P = 0.026) and size of pericardial effusion (OR: 1.36, 95% CI: 1.04-1.76, P = 0.025). Repeated pericardiocentesis was required in 3 patients and one needed surgical intervention. Immunosuppressives used were: prednisolone with monthly intravenous cyclophosphamide (in 33.33%) and intravenous methylprednisolone with monthly cyclophosphamide (in 50%). CONCLUSIONS: Pleuritis, anti-nucleosome antibody and size of pericardial effusion predicted development of tamponade. High dose immunosuppression (methylprednisolone and IV cyclophosphamide) alleviated need for surgery in majority.