Key result
Minoxidil-associated pericardial effusion subsided despite continuation of therapy in a patient without renal or cardiac failure, suggesting discontinuation is not always indicated.
Why the study?
Does minoxidil therapy cause pericardial effusion in patients without severe renal or congestive heart failure?
Case Report (n=1)
Does minoxidil therapy cause pericardial effusion in patients without severe renal or congestive heart failure?
Pericardial effusion can rarely occur in patients on minoxidil without renal or cardiac failure, and discontinuation of the drug is not always necessary as the effusion may subside.
Single case does not support practice change; leaves open generalizability of effusion resolution on continued minoxidil.
• Pericardial effusions are occasionally observed in patients treated with the new oral vasodilator, minoxidil. Almost all of these cases are related to severe renal or congestive heart failure, but very rarely can be observed in patients without an identifiable cause. Such a case is reported herein, in which extensive investigation failed to reveal the cause. On further observation, the effusion subsided despite continuation of minoxidil therapy. Review of the literature suggests that pericardial effusion is uncommonly observed in patients treated with minoxidil unless accompanied by renal or cardiac failure, and that discontinuation of minoxidil therapy is not always indicated. (Arch Intern Med141:69-71, 1981)
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M. C. Houston (1981) conducted a case report in Pericardial effusion (n=1). Minoxidil was evaluated on Pericardial effusion resolution. Minoxidil-associated pericardial effusion subsided despite continuation of therapy in a patient without renal or cardiac failure, suggesting discontinuation is not always indicated.
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