Pericardial Decompression Syndrome: an Uncommon But Dangerous Complication After Successful Pericardiocentesis

Gamze Babur Güler, Ekrem Güler, Gültekin Günhan Demi̇r, Hacı Murat Güneş

Keywords: Pericardiocentesis, decompression, tamponade

Abstract

Pericardial decompression syndrome (PDS) is an infrequent but mostly fatal complication after successful pericardiocentesis. We present a case of a 27-year-old female patient with suspected malignancy and cardiac tamponade treated with pericardiocentesis, followed by acute pulmonary edema and cardiac arrest 2 hours later. We also reviewed possible mechanisms involved in PDS pathophysiology in the context of literature data.