Tension Pneumopericardium after Pericardiocentesis.
10.3346/jkms.2016.31.3.470
- Author:
Jinhyuck LEE
1
;
Bo Seung KANG
;
Changsun KIM
;
Hyuk Joong CHOI
Author Information
1. Department of Emergency Medicine, Hanyang University Guri Hospital, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Guri, Korea. olivertw@hanyang.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Case Reports
- Keywords:
Pericardiocentesis;
Pneumopericardium;
Iatrogenic Disease;
Complication
- MeSH:
Aged;
Cardiac Tamponade/etiology;
Drainage;
Dyspnea/diagnosis;
Emergency Medical Services;
Heart Ventricles/physiopathology;
Humans;
Male;
Medical Errors;
Pericardial Effusion/diagnostic imaging/*therapy;
*Pericardiocentesis;
Pneumopericardium/*diagnosis/therapy;
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
- From:Journal of Korean Medical Science
2016;31(3):470-472
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Pneumopericardium is defined as the presence of air inside the pericardial space. Usually, it is reported as a complication of blunt or penetrating chest trauma, but rare iatrogenic and spontaneous cases have been reported. Pneumopericardium is relatively stable if it does not generate a tension effect on the heart. However, it may progress to tension pneumopericardium, which requires immediate pericardial aspiration. We report a case of iatrogenic pneumopericardium occurred in a 70-year-old man who presented dyspnea at emergency department. The patient underwent pericardiocentesis for cardiac tamponade due to large pericardial effusion, and iatrogenic tension pneumopericardium occurred due to misuse of the drainage device. After evacuating the pericardial air through the previously implanted catheter, the patient became stable. We report this case to increase the awareness of this fatal condition and to help increase the use of precautions against the development of this condition during emergency procedures.
