Massive Pericardial Effusion in Subacute Bacterial Endocarditis

MINOR pericardial effusion has been reported to occur in a small percentage of cases of subacute bacterial endocarditis. However, a review of the literature fails to reveal any case of massive pericardial effusion due to subacute bacterial endocarditis alone. It is the purpose of this paper to present such a case. Report of a Case A 39-year-old male was admitted to Brooklyn Hospital on May 10, 1962, because of severe left precordial pain and dyspnea. Eight months prior to admission he noticed a painful "blood blister" in the pad of the right great toe. A similar lesion was subsequently seen in the pad of the right fourth finger 1 month prior to admission, at which time he developed bilateral pedal edema. Two weeks prior to admission he noticed increasing dyspnea on exertion and orthopnea. Night sweats began 4 days prior to admission. There was no history of fever or shaking