title: Complications of pericardiocentesis: A clinical synopsis.
abstract: Pericardiocentesis (PC) is both a diagnostic and a potentially life-saving therapeutic procedure. Currently echocardiography-guided pericardiocentesis is considered the standard clinical practice in the treatment of large pericardial effusions and cardiac tamponade. Although considered relatively safe, this invasive procedure may be associated with certain risks and potentially serious complications. This review provides a summary of pericardiocentesis and a focused overview of the potential complications of this procedure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, St. Luke's University Health Network, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, United States.
authors.forename: Rajan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, St. Luke's University Health Network, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, United States.
authors.forename: Archana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sinha
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, St. Luke's University Health Network, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, United States.
authors.forename: Maggie J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, St. Luke's University Health Network, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, United States.
authors.forename: Reina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Uchino
authors.affiliation: Research and Innovation, St. Luke's University Health Network, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, United States.
authors.forename: Tracy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Butryn
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, OhioHealth Grant Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, United States.
authors.forename: M Shay
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: O'Mara
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, St. Luke's University Health Network, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, United States.
authors.forename: Sudip
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nanda
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, St. Luke's University Health Network, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, United States.
authors.forename: Jamshid
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shirani
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, St. Luke's University Health Network, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, United States ; Research and Innovation, St. Luke's University Health Network, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, United States.
authors.forename: Stanislaw P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Stawicki
keywords: Bedside procedure; complications; pericardiocentesis; review; ultrasound guidance