Cardiovascular Surgery and Interventions 2022, Vol 9, Num 2 Page(s): 121-124
A rare complication of pericardiocentesis: Pneumopericardium

Oktay Şenöz

Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Izmir Bakırçay University Faculty of Medicine, Izmir, Türkiye

Keywords: Chylous effusion, pericardial effusion, pneumopericardium, tamponade
Pneumopericardium is a rare complication of pericardiocentesis and defined as the presence of air in the pericardial space. Pneumopericardium usually occurs after trauma. However, pneumopericardium due to iatrogenic procedures, such as pericardiocentesis, is extremely rare. It can be caused by either direct pleuropericardial connection development or reverse air leakage in the drainage system. Herein, we report the case of a 39-year-old female with cardiac tamponade who developed pneumopericardium after pericardiocentesis.

DOI : 10.5606/e-cvsi.2022.1221