Key result
VA-ECMO rescues life-threatening pericardial decompression syndrome and cardiogenic shock after pericardiocentesis.
Case Report (n=1)
Pericardial decompression syndrome is a rare but life-threatening complication of pericardiocentesis that may require mechanical circulatory support such as ECMO for successful management.
Alerts clinicians to monitor for delayed shock after pediatric pericardiocentesis; leaves open ECMO's role in pericardial decompression syndrome.
We report a 27-year-old woman who presented with orthopnea, which occurred after undergoing an open-heart surgery, atrial septal defect closure with mitral valve cleft repair. Pericardiocentesis was successfully performed; however, she subsequently developed circulatory collapse, necessitating the application of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Pericardial decompression syndrome is a potentially fatal complication, and clinicians should be aware of this risk when performing pericardiocentesis.
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Ahn et al. (2025) conducted a case report in Pericardial decompression syndrome (n=1). Pericardiocentesis followed by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was evaluated on Clinical recovery. Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation successfully rescued a 27-year-old woman who developed life-threatening pericardial decompression syndrome and cardiogenic shock after pericardiocentesis.
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