title: Cardiac tamponade in an infant. A rare complication of central venous catheterisation.
abstract: A 2994 g infant suffered cardiac tamponade from an infusion of total parenteral nutrition through an indwelling central venous catheter. The infant survived as a result of early diagnosis and aggressive therapeutic intervention. Cardiac tamponade secondary to central venous catheterisation is rare, but potentially lethal. Possible mechanisms are direct puncture by the catheter tip, or osmotic injury from the use of hypertonic solutions. To avoid this complication, the catheter tip should be prevented from entering the right atrium and its position should be checked periodically by chest X ray. Cardiac tamponade should be considered in any patient with a central venous catheter whose clinical condition deteriorates suddenly. Diagnostic or therapeutic pericardiocentesis should be employed as the first measure and time should not be wasted on other diagnostic procedures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei.
authors.forename: Y G
authors.initials: YG
authors.lastname: Cherng
authors.forename: Y J
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: T G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D002305:Cardiac Tamponade / Q000209:etiology*; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D010289:Parenteral Nutrition, Total / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D011859:Radiography; D014463:Ultrasonography