TAMPONADE IN PATIENTS WITH SYSTOLIC LEFT- VENTRICULAR DYSFUNCTION - AN ATYPICAL PRESENTATION

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular failure has been described following surg ery due to localized compression of the left ventricle and in case of diastolic left ventricular dysfunction after pericardiotomy or pericar diocentesis. CASE REPORTS: Global heart failure was observed in 3 pati ents with dilated cardiopathy who developed tamponade. Systolic left v entricular dysfunction was caused by ischemic heart disease in one pat ient and secondary to anthracyclin chemotherapy in the two others. The effusion was successfully removed with pericardiocentesis in all thre e cases. No specific complications were observed. DISCUSSION: Although exceptional, tamponade may occur in patients with signs of left ventr icular failure.