Cardiac tamponade secondary to chest tube placement.
A 69-year-old woman was hospitalized because of a left-sided pneumothorax due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. During chest tube placement she developed hypotension and a decrease in peripheral oxygen saturation. A diagnosis of heart tamponade was made and the patient was treated successfully with pericardiocentesis and placement of a pericardial drain. Cardiac tamponade following chest tube placement is a rare and serious complication. When the clinical condition deteriorates following chest tube insertion, cardiac tamponade should be considered.
Hesselink
D A
DA
Department of Internal Medicine, Medisch Centrum Rijnmond-Zuid, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Van Der Klooster
J M
JM
Bac
E H
EH
Scheffer
M G
MG
Brouwers
J W
JW
D000368:Aged; D002305:Cardiac Tamponade / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D015505:Chest Tubes / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000150:complications; D016896:Treatment Outcome