Cardiac Tamponade: The First Manifestation of Myxedema

Cardiac tamponade is rarely found in patients diagnosed with hypothyroidism, but pericardial effusion secondary to hypothyroidism is relatively common. Case Report: The patient was a 70-year-old female with cardiac tamponade who was later diagnosed as a case of myxedema. After the diagnosis of myxedema, pericardiocentesis was performed immediately and followed by thyroxine hormone replacement therapy. The symptoms subsided within a short duration and her clinical status improved. Impending cardiac tamponade is a rare manifestation of hypothyroidism. A strong suspicion must be maintained for timely diagnosis of pericardial tamponade which should be followed by prompt intervention.