Journals / Acta Medica Alanya / 2026 / Cilt: 10 Sayı: 3

Massive Pericardial Effusion as a Rare Complication of Semaglutide Therapy

Semaglutid Tedavisine Bağlı Nadir Bir Komplikasyon: Masif Perikardiyal Efüzyon

Tuğba Çetin(Tekirdağ Çorlu Devlet Hastanesi)0000-0001-8555-988X
Fahri Çakan(ALANYA ALAADDIN KEYKUBAT UNIVERSITY, FACULTY OF MEDICINE)0000-0002-5427-3480
Levent Pay(SAĞLIK BİLİMLERİ ÜNİVERSİTESİ, İSTANBUL BAŞAKŞEHİR ÇAM VE SAKURA ŞEHİR SAĞLIK UYGULAMA VE ARAŞTIRMA MERKEZİ, DAHİLİ TIP BİLİMLERİ BÖLÜMÜ)0000-0002-7491-8119
Pages
332–336
Publication Date
2026-10-20
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

This case highlights massive pericardial effusion as a rare potential side effect of semaglutide and underscores the importance of regular monitoring for cardiac adverse effects during semaglutide therapy.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:In this report, we present a case of a 35-year-old woman presenting with abdominal distension, leg edema, and abdominal pain shortly after initiating weekly subcutaneous injections of semaglutide (Ozempic) 0.5 mg.
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Key Findings & Data:Imaging and transthoracic echocardiography identified significant pericardial effusion and pericardiocentesis yielded approximately 1000 cc of serohemorrhagic fluid.
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Conclusion & Impact:This case highlights massive pericardial effusion as a rare potential side effect of semaglutide and underscores the importance of regular monitoring for cardiac adverse effects during semaglutide therapy.
🔬Design:Olgu Sunumu
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:ilaca bağlı yan etki · perikardiyal effüzyon · semaglutid

Abstract

In this report, we present a case of a 35-year-old woman presenting with abdominal distension, leg edema, and abdominal pain shortly after initiating weekly subcutaneous injections of semaglutide (Ozempic) 0.5 mg. Imaging and transthoracic echocardiography identified significant pericardial effusion and pericardiocentesis yielded approximately 1000 cc of serohemorrhagic fluid. Cytological analysis showed no evidence of malignancy or infection. Routine laboratory investigations were unremarkable except for a transient elevation of serum CA-125. At 3-month follow-up, she remained asymptomatic with no recurrence of pericardial effusion. This case highlights massive pericardial effusion as a rare potential side effect of semaglutide and underscores the importance of regular monitoring for cardiac adverse effects during semaglutide therapy.

Özet

Bu yazıda, haftalık 0,5 mg subkutan semaglutid (Ozempic®) enjeksiyonlarına başlanmasından kısa bir süre sonra abdominal distansiyon, bacak ödemi ve karın ağrısı gelişen 35 yaşındaki bir kadın olgusu sunuldu. Görüntüleme ve transtorasik ekokardiyografi ile belirgin perikardiyal efüzyon saptandı. Yapılan perikardiyosentez ile yaklaşık 1000 cc serohemorajik sıvı drene edildi. Sitolojik analizde malignite veya enfeksiyon bulgusuna rastlanmadı. Serum CA-125 düzeyindeki geçici yükseklik dışında rutin laboratuvar bulguları normal sınırlarda değerlendirildi. Üç aylık takipte, hastanın asemptomatik olduğu ve perikardiyal efüzyonun tekrarlamadığı görüldü. Bu olgu, semaglutid kullanımına bağlı olarak gelişebilecek nadir bir yan etki olan perikardiyal efüzyonu ve semaglutid tedavisi sırasında kardiyak advers etkiler açısından düzenli izlemin önemini ortaya koymaktadır.

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Cite This Article

Çetin, T., Çakan, F., Pay, L. (2026). Massive Pericardial Effusion as a Rare Complication of Semaglutide Therapy. Acta Medica Alanya, Cilt: 10 Sayı: 3, 332–336. https://doi.org/10.30565/medalanya.1976641

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