Infliximab (IFX) is an anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) agent that is widely used for the management of a variety of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, including Crohn's disease (CD). As a result of its increasing administration, new complications have emerged. Hemorrhagic pericardial effusion, secondary to IFX therapy, is a rare but life-threatening complication.

A 27-year-old man was diagnosed with CD (Montreal A2L3B1) 6 years prior. After failing to respond to mesalazine and methylprednisolone, he took the first dose of IFX 300 mg based on his weight (60 kg, dose 5 mg/kg) on December 3, 2018. He responded well to this therapy. However, on January 21, 2019, 1 wk after the third injection, he suddenly developed dyspnea, fever, and worsening weakness and was admitted to our hospital. On admission, computed tomography scan of the chest revealed a large pericardial effusion and a small right-side pleural effusion. An echocardiogram showed a large pericardial effusion and normal left ventricular function. Then successful ultrasound-guided pericardiocentesis was performed and 600 mL hemorrhagic fluid was drained. There was no evidence of infection and the concentrations of TNF-α, IFX, and anti-IFX antibody were 7.09 pg/mL (reference range < 8.1 pg/mL), < 0.4 μg/mL (> 1.0 μg/mL), and 373 ng/mL (< 30 ng/mL), respectively. As the IFX instruction manual for injection does mention pericardial effusion as a rare adverse reaction (≥ 1/10000, < 1/1000), so we discontinued the IFX. Monitoring of the patient’s echocardiogram for 2 mo without IFX therapy showed no recurrence of hemorrhagic pericardial effusion. Follow-up visits and examinations every 3 to 6 mo until April 2021 showed no recurrence of CD or pericardial effusion.

This is a case of hemorrhagic pericardial effusion following treatment with IFX. It is a rare but life-threatening complication of IFX. Early recognition helps prevent the occurrence of hemorrhagic pericardial effusion and minimize the impact on the natural evolution of the disease.

• Hemorrhagic pericardial effusion
• Pericardial complication
• Infliximab
• Crohn's disease
• Anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha
• Case report

Introduction. Antitumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha agents are commonly used biologic therapies for a wide variety of rheumatic and inflammatory diseases. Here, we present a case of hemorrhagic pericarditis as a consequence of infliximab and review the literature on pericardial complications stemming from this drug class. Methods. For the literature review, search terms using versions of antitumor necrosis factor alpha AND pericardial effusion OR pericarditis OR pleuropericarditis OR cardiac tamponade were used. Results. Pericarditis is a rare but serious complication of anti-TNF based therapy, and hemorrhagic fluid is even more rare, with only one additional case reported. It is likely that this complication was secondary to a robust immune response to very high titer anti-infliximab antibodies. Providers should be aware that this complication can occur and that abnormal elevations in procalcitonin may accompany this unusual finding.

• Effusive–constrictive pericarditis
• Infliximab
• Pericardial effusion
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• TNF-inhibitor therapy

• Antirheumatic Agents/administration & dosage
• Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy
• Humans
• Immunologic Factors/administration & dosage