Pericarditis Associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

Three cases are reported of pericarditis with effusion in association with rheumatoid arthritis, and a 4th in association with possible rheumatoid arthritis. The autopsy findings are described in each case. Of the 3 patients with definite rheumatoid arthritis, 2 showed histological findings consistent with rheumatoid pericarditis, and the 3rd had Hodgkin''s disease. Attention is drawn to the low sugar concentration of the pericardial effusion in 1 case.