A case report of pleuro-pericardial effusion in a patient on hemodialysis and a cardiac pacemaker

There are multiple causes of pleuro-pericardial effusion (PPEF) and more so in a patient with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Postcardiac injury syndrome (PCIS) is a loosely defined term for occurrence of pericardial and/or pleural effusion (PLEF), low-grade fever, with or without systemic upset, which occurs after myocardial infarction (MI), and other cardiac interventions. PPEF is one of its salient manifestations. We report occurrence of PCIS, presenting as pericardial effusion and massive PLEF, after insertion of cardiac pacemaker in a patient with ESRD, on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). It was successfully managed with a short course of oral steroids.