Cardiac Tamponade in Anorexia Nervosa: An Argument for Conservative Management

Abstract

Pericardial effusion is a commonly encountered cardiac complication of malnutrition. Pericardial effusion can rarely progress to cardiac tamponade, a condition of cardiovascular collapse that typically requires emergent surgical intervention. Previously published case reports of cardiac tamponade in anorexia nervosa have involved surgical intervention but this case report is the first to describe conservative management with a successful outcome.