Survival after an acute pericardial tamponade as a result of percutaneously inserted central venous catheter in a preterm neonate.
Percutaneously inserted central venous catheters (PICC) are used in premature infants to deliver intravenous fluids, total parenteral nutrition (TPN) and medications. This article reports a case in which the baby developed pericardial tamponade within 3 hours of starting TPN through a PICC. This was successfully treated with percutaneous subxiphoid pericardiocentesis. Pericardial tamponade should be suspected in any infant with a PICC line in place, and who suddenly develops shock like symptoms, non-attributable to usual causes.
Kabra
N S
NS
Dept. of Neonatology, and University of Sydney Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, NSW 2065, Australia. nskabra@hotmail.com
Kluckow
M R
MR
D000208:Acute Disease; D002305:Cardiac Tamponade / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D010288:Parenteral Nutrition / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D020519:Pericardiocentesis; D011859:Radiography; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016896:Treatment Outcome