The Bloody Pericardium: Cardiac Tamponade Unmasking an Undiagnosed Malignancy: A Case Report

Abstract

We report the case of a 58 year old male who presented to the emergency department with progressive shortness of breath, generalized weakness, and chest heaviness over one week, culminating in acute deterioration on the day of admission. He had no known history of malignancy but was a former smoker with a background of hypertension. On arrival, he appeared acutely unwell, with hypotension, tachycardia, and labored breathing. Physical examination revealed jugular venous distension, soft heart sounds, and reduced peripheral perfusion, raising concern for hemodynamic compromise. Initial electrocardiogram showed sinus tachycardia without ischemic changes, while chest radiography demonstrated marked enlargement of the cardiac silhouette suggestive of a large pericardial effusion. Urgent bedside echocardiography confirmed moderate to severe pericardial effusion with right sided chamber collapse, consistent with cardiac tamponade. The patient underwent immediate ultrasound guided pericardiocentesis, yielding approximately 400 milliliters of hemorrhagic fluid, with rapid clinical improvement in symptoms and hemodynamic parameters. A pericardial drain was left in situ for continued drainage. Laboratory analysis of the pericardial fluid revealed malignant cells. Subsequent imaging identified a suspicious lung lesion with mediastinal lymphadenopathy, suggestive of primary lung malignancy with pericardial involvement. The patient stabilized clinically following intervention and was discharged with plans for oncological evaluation and further diagnostic workup. This case highlights cardiac tamponade as a rare initial presentation of lung cancer and emphasizes the importance of early bedside echocardiography, prompt pericardial drainage, and consideration of malignancy in unexplained hemorrhagic pericardial effusion.