[Late cardiac tamponade in heart surgery practice]

Late cardiac tamponade (LCT) is a poorly studied life threatening complication after operation on the heart. Two cases of LCT developing 18 and 47 days after an operation are described. With consideration for the literature, the authors discuss the causes of LCT, the peculiarities of its clinical course, the diagnosis and treatment. A poor prognosis in LCT is an indication for early active surgical tactics. Puncture of the pericardium with its drainage, as well as pericardiotomy performed through an epigastric approach or by thoracotomy or by means of median sternotomy are effective methods for the management of this menacing complication.