Cardiac tamponade: chylopericardium presenting 2 weeks after mechanical aortic valve replacement through a median sternotomy.
Chylopericardium is a rare disorder that can be secondary to thoracic duct injury. Consequences include nutritional, metabolic, and immunologic abnormalities, as well as cardiac complications, such as pericarditis and cardiac tamponade. We present a case of chylopericardium presenting as cardiac tamponade after a median sternotomy for mechanical aortic valve replacement.
Nwaejike
Nnamdi
N
South West Cardiothoracic Centre, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, United Kingdom. justnnamdi@aol.com
El-Amin
Wail O
WO
Kuo
James
J
D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000601:surgery*; D002305:Cardiac Tamponade / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology*; D013249:Sternum / Q000601:surgery; D013908:Thoracotomy / Q000379:methods; D013997:Time Factors