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Spontaneous “Cardiomegaly” Following Pericardiectomy
Author(s) -
Geske Jeffrey B.,
Calvin Andrew D.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of cardiac surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.428
H-Index - 58
eISSN - 1540-8191
pISSN - 0886-0440
DOI - 10.1111/j.1540-8191.2009.00852.x
Subject(s) - medicine , pericardiectomy , cardiology , constrictive pericarditis
A 64‐year‐old woman presented eight days following pericardiectomy with a 2‐day history of progressive dyspnea and new crushing chest pain. Chest x‐ray revealed development of interval “cardiomegaly.” Bedside echocardiography revealed a large accumulation of pericardial fluid despite absence of pericardium. Diagnostic and therapeutic mediastinocentesis was performed and confirmed the diagnosis of mediastinal hemorrhage. Subsequent to pericardiectomy, mediastinal hemorrhage can masquerade as cardiomegaly and may require urgent intervention.