Intraoperative cardiac tamponade complicating esophagogastrectomy.
BACKGROUND
Thoracoabdominal esophagogastrectomy is associated with a number of potential life-threatening complications.


METHODS
We describe a patient with intraoperative hypotension in which a number of therapeutic maneuvers eventually led to the diagnosis of cardiac tamponade.


RESULTS
Once the diagnosis of tamponade was made, it was successfully treated by the release of intrapericardial blood.


CONCLUSIONS
Although rare, tamponade should be considered as a cause of hemodynamic instability whenever intraoperative manipulation of the heart has occurred.
Levitt
M A
MA
Department of Surgery, The Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, New York 10029, USA.
Cunningham
J D
JD
Curtiss
S I
SI
Brower
S T
ST
D002305:Cardiac Tamponade / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D016629:Esophagectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005743:Gastrectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D008026:Ligation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014680:Veins / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery