Pericardial disease, Echocardiography, Congenital heart disease
Pericardial effusions (PE) in patients with Down syndrome (Trisomy 21) have been associated with hypothyroidism, viral infections and malignancies (particularly leukemia). The PE is usually not large enough to cause cardiac tamponade. We report two cases of idiopathic large PE with one of them progressing to develop a cardiac tamponade that required an urgent pericardiocentesis.
A 3-year-old female with Trisomy 21 was seen at cardiology clinic for follow up of a small secundum ASD. Patient has been asymptomatic from the cardiac standpoint and the parents denied any recent fever or other acute illness. Her cardiac examination and EKG were normal. An echocardiogram (ECHO) showed a normal 4-chamber anatomy and a small size (5-7 mm) pericardial effusion that had progressively increased and remained stable over a 2-year course (9-15 mm) (Figure 1). Work-up to discern the etiology of the pericardial effusion showed normal CBC, thyroid studies, and inflammatory markers. The rheumatologic workup (C3, C4, ANA, Anti-DsDNA, Anti SMRNP, CCP, and ANCA) and viral respiratory panel (Adenovirus, Enterovirus, Rhinovirus, Influenza and para influenza virus) were all negative. The PE was deemed to be idiopathic and the patient is being managed conservatively. She remains asymptomatic and the most recent ECHO at 5 years of age showed a 7-9 mm PE.
A 2.5-year-old female with Trisomy 21 who was known to have a small secundum ASD and was lost to follow-up for 2 years was seen in cardiology clinic. Parents reported upper respiratory symptoms, decreased activity level, and shortness of breath over the few days before the visit. Physical exam was notable for grunting, subcostal retractions, and distant heart sounds. ECHO showed a large circumferential pericardial effusion (17-22 mm) with a remarkable diastolic collapse of the free wall of the right atrium and right ventricle consistent with cardiac tamponade (Figure 2). Due to the severity of symptoms, the patient was transferred to the pediatric intensive care unit where an urgent ECHO guided pericardiocentesis was performed. Workup for the etiology of PE revealed normal thyroid studies, electrolytes, urinalysis and inflammatory markers. CBC was remarkable for severe iron deficiency. Negative microbiologic evaluation included blood cultures, pericardial fluid culture and viral respiratory PCR panel. Workup for rheumatologic etiologies was also negative. Her pericardial effusion was deemed to be idiopathic. At her 1 and 6-month follow-up visits, the patient was asymptomatic and the ECHO showed a small pericardial effusion (5-7 mm).
Children with Trisomy 21 are at an increased risk for developing PE due to viral infections, hypothyroidism [1], celiac disease [2] and transient abnormal myelopoiesis [3]. Many viruses have been known to cause PE, either as an isolated process or part of perimyocarditis or hydrops. Recently, influenza B has been reported to cause severe pericardial effusion that has responded to antiviral therapy without requiring pericardiocentesis [4]. Acquired or autoimmune thyroiditis has been reported in 15-20% of the Trisomy 21 patients [5]. The extravasation of protein due to reduced thyroid function leads to a buildup of fluid in the serous cavities including the pericardium. A similar pathophysiology is proposed to be the basis of PE in leukemia/myeloproliferative syndromes in which a high leukocyte and blast count leads to an exudative effusion. A myelodysplastic syndrome referred to as transient abnormal myelpoiesis (TAM) has been found in 10% of the Down syndrome infants [6,7] with associated PE [3].
Isolated small to moderate size PE are often observed in patients with Down syndrome. Concolino, et al. observed patients with Trisomy 21 and PE for a 2-year period and noted that almost 80% of them were idiopathic in origin. A few cases resolved but most persisted without any clinical symptoms and none of the cases developed a cardiac tamponade [8]. The pathophysiology behind increased pericardial fluid in Trisomy 21 patients without any comorbidity is unclear but could be supported by studies using PE as an indicator for the possible diagnosis of Trisomy 21 prenatally [9]. Idiopathic pericardial effusion may be under-reported in these patients because it is usually small and clinically insignificant and ECHO is not routinely done. The two cases we are reporting represent the extreme form of idiopathic pericardial effusion with one developing cardiac tamponade.
Certain genes on chromosome 21 have been identified to play a role in the formation of the extracellular matrix but do not cause PE [10]. A genetic link between idiopathic PE and Trisomy 21 is yet to be established [11].
The incidence of PE in patients with Trisomy 21 is likely to be under-reported since most patients are asymptomatic and an ECHO is not usually done. Close monitoring of patients with a moderate to large PE is needed as some may progress to develop cardiac tamponade.
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Department of Pediatrics, UTMB. No grants or funding required.
We confirm that there are no known conflicts of interest associated with this publication nor financial support for this work that could have influenced its outcome.