Hemorrhagic Pericardial Effusion as a First Clinical Manifestation of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Case Report

Pericarditis is the most common cardiac manifestation of Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but pericardial effusion infrequently happens as the first clinical sign of SLE. We report the case of a previously healthy 19 years old male patient whose initial manifestation of lupus was a large pericardial effusion impending tamponade. In this case report we will describe the clinical course, echocardiographic and laboratory features of a large pericardial effusion secondary to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with brief medical literature review.