Cardiology Case Study: Acute Pericarditis following Heart Tr | FreeMedSite

Cardiology

Case Study: Acute Pericarditis following Heart Transplantation

Patient: A 35-year-old male

History: The patient underwent a successful heart transplantation surgery 2 weeks prior. On post-operative day 14, he presented to the hospital with a sudden onset of chest pain and shortness of breath.

Examination: Physical examination revealed a fever (101°F) and tenderness over the precordium. An electrocardiogram (ECG) showed evidence of pericarditis with diffuse ST elevations.

Diagnosis: The patient was diagnosed with acute pericarditis based on the physical examination findings and ECG changes.

Investigations: Blood tests showed elevated white blood cell count and C-reactive protein levels, suggesting an infectious cause. A pericardial fluid analysis revealed a high number of white blood cells, further supporting an inflammatory process.

Treatment: The patient was started on nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and colchicine for pain control and to reduce inflammation. He was also started on a course of antibiotics to treat the suspected infectious cause.

Outcome: The patient's symptoms improved significantly over the next few days, and he was discharged from the hospital after 6 days of treatment. He was followed up in the clinic regularly, and no further episodes of pericarditis were observed.

Discussion: Acute pericarditis is a rare but potentially serious complication of heart transplantation. Prompt recognition and treatment are crucial to prevent complications such as cardiac tamponade, which can be life-threatening. In this case, the patient responded well to a combination of NSAIDs, colchicine, and antibiotics.