Echocardiography-guided pericardiocentesis in a post-cardiac surgical patient was complicated several days later by haemorrhagic peritonitis.
Case Report (n=1)
Highlights a rare but severe complication (haemorrhagic peritonitis) following echocardiography-guided pericardiocentesis in a post-cardiac surgery patient.
Clinically significant pericardial effusion is an uncommon complication after cardiac surgery. Pericardiocentesis can be performed either through a mini-sternotomy or under echocardiography guidance. Echocardiography guidance is a relatively safe procedure and it avoids the need for another general anaesthetic. However, in this post cardiac surgical patient echocardiography guided pericardiocentesis was complicated several days later by haemorrhagic peritonitis.
Luckraz et al. (2004) conducted a case report in Pericardial effusion post cardiac surgery (n=1). Echocardiography guided pericardiocentesis was evaluated on Haemorrhagic peritonitis. Echocardiography-guided pericardiocentesis in a post-cardiac surgical patient was complicated several days later by haemorrhagic peritonitis.