1. A Case of Pericardial Decompression Syndrome Following Surgical Pericardial Fluid Drainage
- Author
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Mostafa Abohelwa, John Abdelmalek, Mohammad Ansari, and Mohamed Elmassry
- Subjects
medicine.medical_specialty ,business.industry ,Decompression ,medicine.medical_treatment ,Cardiology ,General Engineering ,food and beverages ,Pericardial fluid ,medicine.disease ,Pericardial effusion ,Pericardial window ,Surgery ,pds ,Pericardiocentesis ,Cardiac/Thoracic/Vascular Surgery ,pericardiocentesis ,Cardiac tamponade ,Heart failure ,cardiac tamponade ,Internal Medicine ,pericardial decompression syndrome ,Medicine ,Tamponade ,pericarditomy ,business - Abstract
Pericardial decompression syndrome (PDS) is a rare and serious complication that follows often-initially-uncomplicated pericardial drainage in patients with pericardial effusion and tamponade physiology. The pathophysiology of PDS is not yet completely understood, although several mechanisms have been postulated. In this report, we present a case of PDS in a 70-year-old male with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) after he underwent a surgical pericardial window for drainage of a moderate pericardial effusion with tamponade physiology. This case provides further evidence that rapid pericardial decompression, notably with pericardiotomy, can lead to acute life-threatening low cardiac output heart failure, particularly in patients with underlying cardiac risk factors. Early recognition, diagnosis, and supportive treatment in the ICU are crucial for improving survival rates in these patients.
- Published
- 2021