Clin Med
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Clin Med
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A 65-year-old Caucasian woman presented to the emergency department with rapidly worsening shortness of breath. On presentation she was tachycardic and tachypnoeic with reduced (85%) oxygen saturation. Cardiovascular examination revealed elevated jugular venous pressure with positive Kussmaul's sign, pulsus paradoxus and muffled heart sounds. ⋯ She subsequently underwent aortic root and aortic valve replacement surgery. Histology of the resected specimen showed inflammatory infiltrate with giant cell formation indicative of giant cell arteritis (GCA). This case highlights the need to consider GCA in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with aortic aneurysm and pericardial effusion.