A NOVEL COMPLICATION OF PERITONEOVENOUS SHUNT - CARDIAC-TAMPONADE

For the last two decades, peritoneovenons shunts (PVS) have commonly b een used in the management of refractory ascites, However, these devic es are associated with a wide variety of complications, We report a ca se of cardiac tamponade due to ventricular perforation by a PVS, Given the substantial morbidity associated with PVS, other therapeutic opti ons should be considered before proceeding with PVS placement, (Am J G astroenterol 1998;93:1379-1380. (C) 1998 by Am, Cell. of Gastroenterol ogy).