An unusual case of cardiac tamponade following electrical cardioversion

The clinical presentation of cardiac tamponade may uncover underlying pericardial disease. We describe a patient who was being treated for lone atrial fibrillation. In this case, direct current cardioversion for recurrence of atrial fibrillation was complicated by a life-threatening hemopericardium. A history of asbestos exposure was subsequently related to the subclinical pericarditis.