# Cardiac Tamponade in a Suspected COVID-19 Patient

## TL;DR

A 59-year-old man with suspected COVID-19 was found to have a life-threatening heart condition called cardiac tamponade, which was treated with emergency drainage.

## Contribution

Highlights the importance of considering cardiac tamponade in patients with atypical presentations of suspected COVID-19.

## Key findings

- The patient presented with dyspnea and bilateral chest X-ray opacities, typical of COVID-19.
- Echocardiography revealed a large pericardial effusion with tamponade, not directly related to viral infection.
- Emergency pericardiocentesis successfully drained 600 cc of bloody fluid.

## Abstract

A 59-year-old male with no significant medical history presented with dyspnea and bilateral opacities on chest X-ray. The patient had a high suspicion for COVID-19 pneumonia based on chest X-ray and laboratory findings. Echocardiogram was performed, and the patient was found to have a large pericardial effusion with tamponade. An emergent pericardiocentesis was performed, with 600 cc of bloody fluid removed.