Key result
Semaglutide linked to massive pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade requiring pericardiocentesis.
Why the study?
Massive pericardial effusion as a complication of semaglutide therapy is rare and not well documented.
Case Report (n=1)
No
Semaglutide therapy may be associated with the rare but potentially life-threatening complication of massive pericardial effusion, highlighting the need to evaluate for cardiac adverse effects in patients presenting with new cardiopulmonary symptoms.
Semaglutide may prompt effusion evaluation in new cardiopulmonary symptoms; single case leaves open causality and population incidence.
In this report, we present a case of a 35-year-old woman presenting with abdominal distension, leg edema, and abdominal pain shortly after initiating weekly subcutaneous injections of semaglutide (Ozempic) 0.5 mg. Imaging and transthoracic echocardiography identified significant pericardial effusion and pericardiocentesis yielded approximately 1000 cc of serohemorrhagic fluid. Cytological analysis showed no evidence of malignancy or infection. Routine laboratory investigations were unremarkable except for a transient elevation of serum CA-125. At 3-month follow-up, she remained asymptomatic with no recurrence of pericardial effusion. This case highlights massive pericardial effusion as a rare potential side effect of semaglutide and underscores the importance of regular monitoring for cardiac adverse effects during semaglutide therapy.
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Çetin et al. (2026) conducted a case report in Obesity (n=1). Semaglutide was evaluated on Development of massive pericardial effusion. A 35-year-old woman developed a massive pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade after initiating semaglutide for weight loss, which completely resolved following pericardiocentesis and drug discontinuation.
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