Acute left ventricular failure is a rare but potentially fatal complication following pericardial window procedures for cardiac tamponade.
Alerts clinicians to possible acute LV failure after pericardial window; single case leaves open causality and incidence.
INTRODUCTION: Pericardial window procedures are generally designed to relieve pericardial fluid pressure on the heart, in cases of cardiac tamponade, and to restore the hemodynamic stability of the patient. Rarely, however, may acute left ventricular failure develop after creation of a pericardial window. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We describe a patient in whom that complication developed. We are trying to give an insight to the pathophysiology, existence of potential predisposing factors, as well as to propose therapeutic measures. DISCUSSION: Acute heart failure, developing after pericardiocentesis or surgical creation of a pericardial window is an unusual complication, with several theories developed to explain that paradox. CONCLUSION: Treatment is supportive, but that complication of pericardial window procedures may carry a high mortality rate.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Philippakis et al. (2013) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: