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Updated: Sep 25, 2026

Hemodynamic Precision in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit using Targeted Neonatal Echocardiography
Published on: January 27, 2023
Pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade as complications of neonatal long lines: are they really a problem?
K Beardsall1, D K White, E M Pinto
1Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Rosie Maternity, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge, UK. k.beardsall@btinternet.com
Aim:
To estimate the frequency of pericardial effusion/cardiac tamponade associated with the use of neonatal percutaneous long lines (PLLs) over the past five years.
Method:
A retrospective nationwide postal survey, of all neonatal and special care units in the United Kingdom.
Results:
Eighty two cases of pericardial effusion/cardiac tamponade were reported from the five year period, during which we estimate that 46 000 PLLs were inserted. The calculated frequency of pericardial effusion/cardiac tamponade occurring with PLLs was 1.8/1000 lines. There were 30 deaths, giving a fatality rate after pericardial effusion of 0.7/1000 lines.
Conclusions:
Pericardial effusion/cardiac tamponade is a serious but infrequent complication of PLL use.
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