UNSUCCESSFUL PERICARDIOCENTESIS FOR CARDIAC-TAMPONADE DURING ANGIOCARDIOGRAPHY WITH NONIONIC CONTRAST MATERIAL

Cardiac tamponade secondary to ventricular wall perforation is one of the possible complications of right-sided as well as left-sided cardia c catheterization. Ventriculography was performed on a patient with ob structive cardiomyopathy using a nonionic contrast medium. During the procedure, the right ventricle was accidentally perforated and the pat ient developed cardiac tamponade. Pericardiocentesis was unsuccessful and surgical drainage was needed after the patient developed progressi ve hemodynamic deterioration. At surgery, pericardial thrombus was fou nd. We consider the reason for failure of pericardiocentesis was rapid coagulation of the extravasated blood in connection with nonionic con trast material.