What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Case Report. Population: Pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade (n=1). Intervention: Emergency pericardiocentesis and PICC removal. Primary outcome: Survival and resolution of pericardial effusion.

What does this research mean for the field?

Prompt pericardiocentesis and multidisciplinary intensive care can achieve survival and favorable long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes in extremely low birth weight neonates presenting with life-threatening massive pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To report the presentation, emergency procedural management, and long-term neurodevelopmental outcome of catheter-related massive pericardial effusion with cardiac tamponade in an extremely low birth weight infant.

August 15, 2026CureusOpen Access

A Tiny Heart, a Massive Challenge: Case Presentation of Pericardial Effusion and Cardiac Tamponade in an Extremely Preterm Neonate and Corresponding Literature Review

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Key result

Emergency pericardiocentesis resolves cardiac tamponade and secures survival in a 640 g preterm neonate.

Why the study?

Massive pericardial effusion requiring pericardiocentesis in an extremely preterm, extremely low birth weight neonate is exceedingly rare and infrequently described in neonatal literature.

Comparison

PICC line removal and emergency pericardiocentesis

Design

Case report and literature review

Authors

SSSachin SakharkarSacred Heart Hospital DTDeepika TiwariGlobal Hospitals SLSrinivas LakshmivenkateshiahJupiter Medical Center

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

May support pericardiocentesis feasibility in ELBW neonates with tamponade; hypothesis-generating, requiring prospective validation before broader adoption.

Key Points

To report the presentation, emergency procedural management, and long-term neurodevelopmental outcome of catheter-related massive pericardial effusion with cardiac tamponade in an extremely low birth weight infant.
Clinical case evaluation of a 24-week gestation male neonate with a birth weight of 640 g who presented with circulatory shock and respiratory collapse on day 21 of life while receiving total parenteral nutrition via a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC).
Diagnostic evaluation using serial chest radiography and emergency bedside echocardiography, followed by immediate PICC line removal and emergency pericardiocentesis.
Chest radiography revealed progressive cardiomegaly with a 'water-bottle' cardiac silhouette, and echocardiography confirmed massive pericardial effusion causing cardiorespiratory compromise.
Emergency pericardiocentesis successfully evacuated 13 mL of fluid from the 640 g infant, immediately stabilizing hemodynamics.
Following multidisciplinary neonatal intensive care, the infant was discharged home and exhibited normal linear growth with no cognitive, auditory, or visual deficits on follow-up.

Study Design

Type

Case Report (n=1)

Structured PICO

Population

A 24-week gestation, 640 g male neonate who developed massive pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade on day 21 of life.

Intervention

Emergency pericardiocentesis (drainage of approximately 13 mL of pericardial fluid) and immediate removal of the PICC line.

Outcome

Cardiorespiratory stabilization and survival.hard clinical

Emergency pericardiocentesis can be successfully performed and is life-saving in extremely low birth weight neonates with catheter-associated massive pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade.

Limitations

Single case report
Precise biochemical composition of the pericardial fluid could not be determined

Cite This Study

Sakharkar et al. (2026) conducted a case report in Pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade (n=1). Emergency pericardiocentesis and PICC removal was evaluated on Survival and resolution of pericardial effusion. Emergency pericardiocentesis successfully resolved massive pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade in a 640 g extremely preterm neonate, leading to survival with favorable neurodevelopmental outcomes.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a8019ce75c2e31742c8605b https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.114448

View Full Paper

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Bookmark

Implication

May support pericardiocentesis feasibility in ELBW neonates with tamponade; hypothesis-generating, requiring prospective validation before broader adoption.

A Tiny Heart, a Massive Challenge: Case Presentation of Pericardial Effusion and Cardiac Tamponade in an Extremely Preterm Neonate and Corresponding Literature Review

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Limitations

Cite This Study

A Tiny Heart, a Massive Challenge: Case Presentation of Pericardial Effusion and Cardiac Tamponade in an Extremely Preterm Neonate and Corresponding Literature Review

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Limitations

Cite This Study

Also Consider

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