CARDIAC-TAMPONADE

Cardiac tamponade is a cardiological emergency requiring prompt treatm ent in order to avoid a fatal outcome. It can complicate a number of m edical conditions and it is important, therefore, that all practitione rs are aware of its presentation, diagnosis and management. These are outlined. We suggest that, with certain specific and important excepti ons, percutaneous catheter pericardiocentesis is to be recommended in the management of cardiac tamponade. We include a review of 51 consecu tive cases treated at our own institution. Catheter pericardiocentesis was successful in 49 (96%) cases and 36 (80%) patients did not requir e any further intervention. There were no major and only two minor com plications which required no additional treatment. We review previous literature concerning percutaneous pericardiocentesis. Using recommend ed procedures, pericardiocentesis is successful in 90-100% of cases an d major complications are rare.