Pneumopericardium is defined as the condition of presence of air in the pericardial space. It is associated with various etiologies such as chest trauma, infection or invasive procedures. We herein describe a case of cardiac tamponade associated with pneumopericardium. We diagnosed iatrogenic pneumopericardium by plain chest radiography and two-dimensional echocardiography. The patient was successfully treated by re-pericardiocentesis.
Cardiac Tamponade ; Echocardiography ; Humans ; Pericardiocentesis ; Pneumopericardium ; Thorax

We study on 3 children pyopericarditis on July 1996 at the Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Department Cho Ray Hospital. All of patients come from Pediatric Hospital. Diagnostic: pyopericarditis with pus from pericardiocentesis. Operation: largely pericardiectomy. Result: all patients are in good condition when they are discharge.
Myocarditis ; Pericardiocentesis ; Pericardiectomy ; surgery ; therapeutics ; child

No abstract available.
Central Venous Catheters* ; Emergencies* ; Emergency Service, Hospital* ; Pericardiocentesis*

Primary cardiac malignancy is very rare. Angiosarcoma is the most frequent malignant cardiac tumor and associated with a very unfavourable outcome. We report the case of an cardiac angiosarcoma complicated with cardiac tamponade revealed by echocardiography with pericardiocentesis and confirmed histopathologically in a 25 years old man.
Adult ; Cardiac Tamponade* ; Echocardiography ; Heart Neoplasms ; Hemangiosarcoma* ; Humans ; Pericardiocentesis

BACKGROUND: This study was undertaken to test the validity of M-mode and a new cross sectional cehocardiographic quantification of pericardial effusion. METHODS: This study was performed in 12 patients with large pericardial effusion of whom hed M-mode and 2-D echocardiography just before therpeutic drainage of the effusion. The volume of Pericardial fluid removed by pericardiocentesis was compared with te echo-free space estimated by M-mode echocardiography and the volume estimated by new 2-D echocardiographic method. The pericardial sac volume and the cardiac volume were calculated by applying the formula for the volume of a prolate ellipse. RESULTS: 1) There was a good correlation between 2-D echocardiographic estimate and the actual volume removed by pericardiocentesis(r=0.72, p<0.05). 2) The correlation between the echo-free space estimated by M-mode echocardiography at the level of mitral valve and the actual volume was also good(r=0.81,p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The M-mode and 2-D echocardiographic method is successful in helping to estimate large pericardial effusion.
Cardiac Volume ; Drainage ; Echocardiography* ; Humans ; Mitral Valve ; Pericardial Effusion* ; Pericardiocentesis ; Phosmet

We present an iatrogenic, pleuro-pericardial connection resulting from pericardiocentesis of a large, tuberculous, pericardial effusion. Recognition of this situation is paramount when one is unable to aspirate pericardial fluid after a successful, initial puncture. Such knowledge will help prevent myocardial or coronary artery injury with further attempts at aspiration.
Coronary Vessels ; Echocardiography ; Pericardial Effusion* ; Pericardial Fluid ; Pericardiocentesis ; Pleural Cavity ; Punctures ; Tuberculosis

Pericardial drainage is an important diagnostic and therapeutic option in the symptomatic patient with large amount of pericardial effusion (PE). However, when the amount of PE is relatively small, physicians are often reluctant to perform the invasive drainage of the fluid due to the increased risk of causing myocardial injury during the procedure. Even in some cases of suspected pericarditis with small amount PE, an initial empirical anti-inflammatory therapy is often recommended. A 65-year-old woman presented with mild dyspnea for two weeks. The echocardiography revealed small amount of PE. A careful fluoroscopy-guided pericardiocentesis, subsequent pericardial fluid cytology, and thorough whole body check-up demonstrated adenocarcinoma with no proven primary site. After the palliative chemotherapy, she had survived for 15 months until her death due to asphyxia. Although pericardiocentesis is considered dangerous in small amount of PE, a prompt and careful drainage may provide early detection of hidden malignancy and better survival outcome.
Adenocarcinoma* ; Aged ; Asphyxia ; Drainage ; Drug Therapy ; Dyspnea ; Echocardiography ; Female ; Humans ; Pericardial Effusion* ; Pericardial Fluid ; Pericardiocentesis* ; Pericarditis

In young adolescent girls, anorexia nervosa is a significant cause of weight loss, and hospital admissions among children and adolescents. Anorexia nervosa is a life-threatening disorder, with about one-third of deaths caused by cardiac complications. A high rate of pericardial effusion has been recently reported in patients with anorexia nervosa, although relatively few cases require pericardiocentesis. Here, we describe three patients with anorexia nervosa who were diagnosed with large pericardial effusions. To prevent cardiac tamponade, pericardiocentesis was performed in two girls.
Adolescent ; Anorexia ; Anorexia Nervosa ; Cardiac Tamponade ; Child ; Humans ; Pericardial Effusion ; Pericardiocentesis ; Weight Loss

Acupuncture-related hemopericardium is a rare but potentially fatal complication. We describe a hemopericardium that occurred shortly after acupuncture in a 55-year-old woman. A chest CT scan and echocardiography revealed a hemopericardium, and pericardiocentesis was then immediately and successfully performed. Subsequently, her clinical course improved. This case increases the attention of emergency physicians for acupuncture-related complications, especially hemopericardium, and the necessity of rapid diagnosis and management.
Acupuncture Therapy/*adverse effects ; Echocardiography ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Pericardial Effusion/*diagnosis/*etiology/surgery ; Pericardiocentesis

Acupuncture-related hemopericardium is a rare but potentially fatal complication. We describe a hemopericardium that occurred shortly after acupuncture in a 55-year-old woman. A chest CT scan and echocardiography revealed a hemopericardium, and pericardiocentesis was then immediately and successfully performed. Subsequently, her clinical course improved. This case increases the attention of emergency physicians for acupuncture-related complications, especially hemopericardium, and the necessity of rapid diagnosis and management.
Acupuncture Therapy/*adverse effects ; Echocardiography ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Pericardial Effusion/*diagnosis/*etiology/surgery ; Pericardiocentesis