Acute Pericarditis in an Adult with Cystic Fibrosis: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Introduction: Cystic fibrosis, an autosomal recessive disorder (1 in 3,000-6,000 births), causes thick mucus and recurrent lung infections. Improved survival has revealed rare complications such as constrictive pericarditis and cardiac tamponade. Case description: A 24-year-old female with cystic fibrosis, diagnosed at nine months, presented with two weeks of dyspnoea. Examination revealed bilateral rhonchi, facial oedema and non-pitting thigh oedema. Laboratory results showed a white blood cell count of 11.3 ×10 Conclusion: Clinicians should have a high index of suspicion for underlying cardiac complications in patients presenting with exacerbations of cystic fibrosis. LEARNING POINTS: Pericardial disease - including constrictive pericarditis and tamponade - though rare, can complicate cystic fibrosis in adults and may mimic pulmonary exacerbations. Early cardiac imaging is crucial for timely diagnosis.This case highlights the need for a high index of suspicion in cystic fibrosis patients with unexplained dyspnoea, oedema or haemodynamic instability, especially in the setting of pericardial calcifications.Medical management with colchicine and diuretics can be effective in selected cystic fibrosis patients with constrictive physiology, potentially avoiding the need for invasive pericardiectomy.