SAT325 Recurrent Pericardial Effusion As Initial Presentation Of Primary Adrenal Insufficiency

Disclosure: S. Ward: None. A.L. Champion: None. A. Mrkaic: None. Recurrent Pericardial Effusion as Initial Presentation of Primary Adrenal Insufficiency: Background: Primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI) is a rare but serious endocrinopathy. High clinical suspicion is important to avoid delay in diagnosis and treatment. We present a rare case of recurrent pericardial effusion as initial presentation. Clinical Case: 63 year old male with hypertension and diabetes presented to ED complaining of SOB and chest pain. Workup revealed pericardial effusion causing cardiac tamponade treated with emergent pericardiocentesis. He was admitted to ICU for hypotension. He was also diagnosed with COVID-19 and acute kidney injury. Labs showed hyperkalemia ranging from 5.3 to 7.2 mmol/l (n= 3.5-5.1 mmol/l) and hyponatremia 132 mmol/L (n= 136-145 mmol/L). He was started on dexamethasone for COVID-19 infection. Etiology of pericardial effusion was unclear; infectious disease workup was unremarkable, cytology showed no malignant cells, autoimmune panel was negative. Initial echo showed EF >55%. After initiation of steroids, symptoms improved with normalization of electrolytes and improvement of hypotension, however was discharged on midodrine 2.5 mg TID. Seven days after discharge patient called 911 complaining of worsening shortness of breath. He was found to be severely hypotensive with BP 67/40. Echo showed moderate to large pericardial effusion causing tamponade. Emergent pericardial window was performed. Labs showed hyponatremia 123 mmol/L and potassium ranging from 4.9-5.4 mmol/L. Patient remained hypotensive requiring pressors despite pericardial effusion drainage. With persistent hypotension, hyperkalemia, and hyponatremia there was strong suspicion for adrenal insufficiency and workup was consistent with PAI. Labs showed 8:00 am cortisol 2.7 ug/dl (n= 3.7-19.4 ug/dl), ACTH 256.0 pg/ml (n=7.2-63.3pg/ml), aldosterone <1.0 ng/dL, renin 4.216 ng/mL/hr (n= 0.167-5.380 ng/mL/hr). Due to his critical illness patient was started on stress dose hydrocortisone 50 mg Q6 hr. With initiation of steroids, hyponatremia, hypokalemia, and hypotension resolved. Patient was weaned to physiological doses of hydrocortisone and started on fludrocortisone at time of discharge. Conclusion: Timely diagnosis of PAI is essential and can be lifesaving, if untreated it can lead to adrenal crisis with high mortality. Having a high clinical suspicion is crucial to a prompt diagnosis. Pericardial effusion should prompt clinical suspicion for PAI as multiple cases have now been reported in the literature. Our patient has multiple potential causes of pericardial effusion including PAI, acute kidney injury, and COVID-19 infection. Although we cannot show definitive causation from PAI, it most certainly contributed and prompt diagnosis and treatment may have prevented recurrence. It is important to raise awareness of PAI as a differential in pericardial effusion. Presentation: Saturday, June 17, 2023