Epstein-Barr Virus DNA in Pericardial Effusion Causing Subacute Cardiac Tamponade.

• Cardiac tamponade with hemodynamic compromise is an emergency, regardless of cause. • The causes of pericardial disease vary widely with population and geography. • Some causes of pericarditis require specific treatment and should be considered. • EBV is a rarely described infectious cause of pericardial effusion. • Both echocardiography and pericardiocentesis were very difficult in this case.