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Cardiac tamponade in a child with ascariasis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 August 2008

Georgios S. Papadopoulos*
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatric Cardiology, ‘Aghis Sofia’ Childrens' Hospital, Athens, Greece
Nikolaos G. Eleftherakis
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatric Cardiology, ‘Aghis Sofia’ Childrens' Hospital, Athens, Greece
Basil (Vasilios) D. Thanopoulos
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatric Cardiology, ‘Aghis Sofia’ Childrens' Hospital, Athens, Greece
*
Georgios S. Papadopoulos, Department of Pediatric Cardiology, ‘Aghia Sofia’ Childrens' Hospital, Thivon & Levadias St., 115 27, Athens, Greece. Tel.: (0301) 7467101; Fax: (0301) 7797649; E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

Ascaris infection, when severe, may manifest with constitutional symptoms. The parasites penetrate the intestinal walls, reach the venules and lymphatics and, through the portal circulation, may affect the heart. To the best of our knowledge, involvement of the pericardium has yet to be reported. We describe here a case of severe pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade in a child with ascariasis.

Type
Brief Report
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2000

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