Perforation of the Right Ventricle as a Complication of Pericardiocentesis: A Case report

Abstract

Summary Pericardial effusion represents the accumulation of larger amounts of fluid in the pericardial cavity. If not timely diagnosed and adequately treated, it can lead to cardiac tamponade. The treatment of pericardial effusion includes primarily the use of drugs like aspirin, NSAIDs, corticosteroids, and/or colchicine followed by invasive procedures such as pericardiocentesis or pericardiectomy. Pericardiocentesis complications are extremely rare but very serious especially in the case of the rupture of the right ventricle or the coronary arteries. Patient S.V, born in 1938, from Svrljig, was examined because of suffocating and swollen shin. The medical reports showed that the patient previously had had a permanent pacemaker implanted and that he had undergone a triple coronary artery bridging. Medical reports also showed that two months before the examination he was hospitalized due to pericardial effusion at the reference institution. The ultrasonographic examination registered large circular effusion with the motion of the right ventricle and the patient underwent urgent pericardiocentesis. During pericardiocentesis, the rupture of the right ventricle occurred and the patient was sent to the cardiac surgery clinic where he had catheter extraction performed. The control ultrasound examination of the heart showed no pericardial effusion, and no signs of damage to the right ventricle.