Accidental Cannulation of the Cardiac Venous System During Pericardiocentesis

J Invasive Cardiol. 2021 Mar;33(3):E225-E226.

Abstract

A 52-year-old woman presented to another hospital with progressive dyspnea of 10-day duration. The patient was diagnosed with a massive pericardial effusion and underwent pericardiocentesis. However, the patient's symptoms did not improve and she was referred to our hospital with a pericardial sheath in situ. On evaluation, the patient had a large pericardial effusion and evidence of cardiac tamponade, but no fluid could be aspirated from the sheath. This case underscores the importance of image-guided pericardiocentesis.

Keywords: cardiac imaging; pericardiocentesis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Cardiac Tamponade* / diagnosis
  • Cardiac Tamponade* / etiology
  • Cardiac Tamponade* / surgery
  • Catheterization
  • Female
  • Heart
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Pericardial Effusion* / diagnosis
  • Pericardial Effusion* / etiology
  • Pericardial Effusion* / surgery
  • Pericardiocentesis