When Aubaniac first introduced the central venous catheter to clinical
medicine he stated 'Elle est strictement sans danger'(1). Subsequentl
y, central venous catheters have been used for monitoring, medicating
and feeding intensive care patients of all ages. Complications are inf
requent, but can, however, sometimes be fatal(2,3). Cardiac tamponade
is a rare complication, and in this report prompt recognition and trea
tment prevented the death of a neonate.