Cardiac tamponade associated with human immunodeficiency virus-associated immune complex kidney disease

Cardiac tamponade is a life-threatening emergency, characterized by rapid accumulation of pericardial fluid. There are multiple risk factors for cardiac tamponade, nephrotic syndrome is an uncommon one, especially in adults. Herein, we are reporting a 35-year-old African American woman with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis secondary to human immunodeficiency virus-associated immune complex kidney disease (HIVICK), who presented with cardiac tamponade. The patient had pericardiocentesis and was discharged, with outpatient follow-up with cardiology, nephrology, and infectious disease. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of HIVICK nephrotic syndrome associated with cardiac tamponade.