Taponamiento cardíaco por Influenza A en el servicio de emergencias

Jacobo Pardo Jara
Medicina de Emergencias, Unidad de Investigación en Salud del Hospital San Vicente de Paúl, Caja Costarricense del Seguro Social, Heredia, Costa Rica.

Resumen

Las complicaciones cardíacas de origen vírico son ampliamente conocidas, en especial la miopericarditis aguda. Su presentación clínica abarca una amplia gama, desde casos leves con síntomas como disnea o dolor torácico hasta la muerte súbita. La influenza A afecta principalmente el tracto respiratorio bajo, pero no está exenta de provocar alteraciones en otros órganos o sistemas. Se presenta un caso clínico de una paciente joven de 38 años, atleta de alto rendimiento, que desarrolló síntomas respiratorios y disnea progresiva. Se documentó un derrame pericárdico con signos de taponamiento cardíaco mediante ultrasonografía en el punto de atención, lo que requirió drenaje de emergencia. En este caso, se muestra la utilidad de la ultrasonografía en el punto de atención para el diagnóstico y la terapia oportuna en el servicio de emergencias.

Palabras claves

Virus de la influenza A, miocarditis, pericarditis, derrame pericárdico, taponamiento cardíaco, ultrasonografía, ecocardiografía y tratamiento de emergencia.

Abstract

Viral cardiac complications are widely recognized, primarily acute myopericarditis. Their clinical presentation spans a broad spectrum, from mild cases with symptoms such as dyspnea or chest pain to sudden cardiac death. Influenza A primarily affects the lower respiratory tract, yet it can involve other organs and systems. This report describes the case of a 38-year-old woman, a high-performance athlete, who developed respiratory symptoms followed by progressive dyspnea. A pericardial effusion with signs of cardiac tamponade was documented through point-of-care ultrasonography, which required emergency drainage. This case highlights the usefulness of point-of-care ultrasonography for prompt diagnosis and timely intervention in the emergency department.

Keywords

Influenza A virus, myocarditis, pericarditis, pericardial effusion, cardiac tamponade, ultrasonography, echocardiography, emergency treatment.

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