Cardiac tamponade secondary to a ruptured coronary artery aneurysm during bacteremia treatment: a case report

Abstract

Coronary artery aneurysms (CAAs) are relatively rare clinical entities that can result in a life-threatening acute myocardial infarction or cardiac tamponade. In this case report, we present the case of a 58-year-old man who was diagnosed and successfully treated for triple-vessel coronary artery disease and right CAAs found during the treatment of bacteremia caused by pyogenic arthritis of the knee joint. Anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents were initiated for coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation. After pericardial effusion gradually increased, the patient developed cardiac tamponade with associated obstructive shock on the 17th day after admission and was transferred to our hospital.Emergent full sternotomy and pericardiotomy were performed, after which the initial central venous pressure of 30 mmHg decreased to 8 mmHg, and hemodynamics stabilized shortly after. A bleeding site was identified as a right CAA during the procedure and repaired. Coronary artery bypass grafting was performed under intra-aortic balloon pump support. Although trauma, myocardial infarction, cardiac rupture, and pericarditis are the most common causes of cardiac tamponade, CAA ruptures should also be included in the differential diagnosis. In case of CAAs in patients with bacteremia and pericardial effusion, surgical treatment should be considered as an additional strategy to avoid potentially fatal complications.