What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Case Report. Population: Uremic Pericarditis with Cardiac Tamponade. Intervention: Pericardiocentesis and hemodialysis.

What does this research mean for the field?

Pericardiocentesis and hemodialysis improved hemodynamic status and resolved cardiac tamponade caused by large pericardial effusion in uremic patients. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.CONFIRMATORY. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.SUPPORTS_CONSENSUS.

What question did this study set out to answer?

The aim is to describe the relationship between uremic pericarditis and cardiac tamponade and the interventions that resolve it.

February 2, 2026Open Access

Uremic Pericarditis: When The Kidneys Break The Heart!

Key Result

Pericardiocentesis and hemodialysis successfully resolved cardiac tamponade and improved hemodynamic status in a case of uremic pericarditis.

Key Points

The aim is to describe the relationship between uremic pericarditis and cardiac tamponade and the interventions that resolve it.
Utilized 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) to identify Spodick’s sign of pericarditis.
Performed two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography to assess pericardial effusion and right ventricle dynamics.
Conducted pericardiocentesis to relieve cardiac tamponade and administered hemodialysis.
Identified large pericardial effusion and hemodynamic compromise through imaging techniques.
Confirmed cardiac tamponade indicated by respiratory variation of tricuspid valve inflow velocities.
Achieved resolution of cardiac tamponade and improved hemodynamic status post-intervention.

Study Design

Type

Case Report

Structured PICO

Population

Patient with uremia presenting with rapid accumulation of pericardial fluid and cardiac tamponade

Intervention

Pericardiocentesis and hemodialysis

Outcome

Resolution of cardiac tamponade and improvement in hemodynamic status

Pericardiocentesis and hemodialysis effectively resolve cardiac tamponade caused by uremic pericarditis, a condition identifiable by specific ECG and echocardiographic signs.

Abstract

The above images represent rapid accumulation of pericardial fluid in the setting uremia. Figure A is a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) with subtle downsloping ST elevation (Spodick’s sign) suggestive of pericarditis. Two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiographic views in the parasternal long axis (Figure B) and apical 4-chamber (Figure C) planes reveal large pericardial effusion with respirophasic compression of the right ventricle (RV) in diastole indicative of cardiac tamponade. The respiratory variation of the tricuspid valve inflow velocities of greater than 40% shown in Figure D is also highly suggestive of cardiac tamponade. Pericardiocentesis and hemodialysis (HD) resulted in resolution of the cardiac tamponade and improvement in the hemodynamic status.

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