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Cardiac tamponade associated with a peripheral vein central venous catheter
Author(s) -
COLOMINA MARÍA J.,
GODET CARMEN,
PELLISÉ FERRAN,
GONZÁLEZP MIGUEL ÁNGEL,
BAGÓ JOAN,
VILLANUEVA CARLOS
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
pediatric anesthesia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.704
H-Index - 82
eISSN - 1460-9592
pISSN - 1155-5645
DOI - 10.1111/j.1460-9592.2005.01557.x
Subject(s) - medicine , pericardiocentesis , cardiac tamponade , pericardial effusion , tamponade , catheter , central venous catheter , surgery , cardiology , radiology
Summary We present a case of cardiac tamponade associated with placement of a central venous catheter (CVC) via a peripheral vein in a 14‐year‐old girl with idiopathic scoliosis undergoing corrective surgery. A number of complications have been described in association with CVC misplacement. Sporadic cases of cardiac tamponade from this have been reported, but the actual incidence is unknown. Death from cardiac tamponade attributed to CVCs ranges from 65 to 100%. In our patient, cannulation of the pericardiophrenic vein was probably the cause of cardiac tamponade, based on radiological evidence that the initial location of the catheter was near the right atrium and possibly at the outlet of the pericardiophrenic vein. The catheter could have advanced into the vein and then to the pericardial sac with postural changes. The acute clinical course of cardiac tamponade in our patient had potentially lethal hemodynamic repercussions. The main diagnostic test for this condition is echocardiography and the only effective treatment is drainage of the pericardial effusion. Echocardiography should be performed before pericardiocentesis except in life‐threatening situations or high clinical suspicion. Although they are rare, it is important to be aware of the potential for CVC complications.