Abstract

FELICIANO ALVAREZ, Vladimir et al. Cardiac tamponade as a form of presentation of lung cancer. Rev Cub Med Mil [online]. 2012, vol.41, n.2, pp.195-200. ISSN 0138-6557.

Cardiac tamponade is a serious event requiring immediate diagnosis and treatment. It may result from a variety of causes which are not always self-evident. Among these causes, neoplastic processes, particularly lung neoplasias, should always be considered. The objective of the present study is to show that cardiac tamponade may be the form of presentation of lung cancer. In the two cases presented, the initial clinical symptoms were dyspnea and chest pain. The physical examination revealed jugular ingurgitation, muffled cardiac sounds, tachycardia and arterial hypotension. The electrocardiogram showed the presence of microvoltage, and the chest x-rays an increase in cardiac area. The diagnosis of cardiac tamponade was verified by echocardiography. A pericardial window was performed in both patients and a pericardial biopsy was obtained, by means of which the diagnosis of lung neoplasia was defined. It is concluded that in the presence of a cardiac tamponade of unclear cause, a neoplastic origin should always be suspected, particularly lung cancer.

Keywords : cardiac tamponade; cancer; lung cancer.

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