title: Temporary cardiac tamponade secondary to chest tube placement for pneumothorax.
abstract: A 87-year-old woman was hospitalised because of a third-degree atrioventricular block. After the insertion of a temporary pacemaker lead through the left subclavian vein, she developed an ipsilateral pneumothorax. Although there were clinical and echocardiographic signs of cardiac tamponade after chest tube placement for pneumothorax, a second echocardiogram performed after transportation for surgical drainage failed to demonstrate the presence of any pericardial fluid, while the patient showed an unexpected clinical improvement. A new X-ray showed a collection of left pleural fluid. Over the following days a limited amount of blood was drained through the tube with disappearance of the pleural effusion and no further signs of major bleeding. A permanent DDD pacemaker was subsequently implanted and the patient was discharged in a good condition.
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Department, Elpis General Hospital, Athens, Greece. cevdor@otenet.gr
authors.forename: Constantinos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Evdoridis
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lazaros
authors.forename: Dionysia
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rali
authors.forename: Athanasios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alexadris
authors.forename: Petros
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bonoris
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002305:Cardiac Tamponade / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000209:etiology; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000601:surgery*; D013907:Thoracostomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013997:Time Factors