Pericardial tamponade associated with pacemaker catheter manipulation.
Three patients developed cardiac tamponade following postpacemaker catheter manipulation. Although regarded as a rare complication, this entity has to be recognized immediately on clinical grounds and confirmed by echocardiography. Prompt recognition and urgent pericardial drainage is lifesaving in this acute cardiac emergency.
Sandler
M A
MA
Division of Cardiovascular Disease, Albert Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19141.
Wertheimer
J H
JH
Kotler
M N
MN
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002305:Cardiac Tamponade / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects*