Pericardial effusion associated with an appropriately placed umbilical venous catheter.
Central venous catheterization is widely used in neonatal intensive care units to support tiny preterm babies. Pericardial effusion (PCE) and cardiac tamponade are uncommon but potentially fatal complications of percutaneous, umbilical and surgically placed central venous catheters related to intracardiac position or migration. This report describes a case of PCE arising from fluid infused via umbilical venous catheter. The case study highlights two important aspects: one, occurrence of PCE in a baby with satisfactory position of the umbilical catheter, and second, the life-saving application of basic echocardiography by bedside caregivers for the diagnosis and treatment of this critical condition.
Sehgal
A
A
Department of Pediatrics, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. sehgalarvind@yahoo.ca
Cook
V
V
Dunn
M
M
D002305:Cardiac Tamponade / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004200:Diseases in Twins; D004452:Echocardiography; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D052577:Infant, Extremely Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D010289:Parenteral Nutrition, Total / Q000009:adverse effects; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems; D012307:Risk Factors; D014471:Umbilical Veins