Abstract
Importance: Cardiac tamponade requiring emergent intervention is a
possible complication of COVID-19 infection. Favorable clinical outcomes
are possible if timely management and drainage are performed, unless
ventricular failure develops. Observations: Cardiac tamponade in
COVID-19, based on the limited reported cases, seems to be more common
among middle-aged men. Prognosis is worse amongst patients with
concomitant ventricular failure. Design and methods: This is a case
series of three COVID-19 patients complicated by cardiac tamponade,
requiring surgical intervention at a single institution in New York.
Interventions: Pericardial window, Pericardiocentesis Outcomes: One
patient had recurrence of cardiac tamponade with hemorrhagic component
but fully recovered and was discharged home. Two patients developed
cardiac tamponade with concomitant biventricular failure, resulting in
death. Conclusions and Relevance: Cardiac Tamponade with possible
concomitant biventricular failure can develop in COVID-19 patients;
incidence seems to be highest at the point of marked inflammatory
response. Concomitant ventricular failure seems to be a predictor of
poor prognosis.