Successful drainage of a traumatic haemopericardium with pericardiocentesis through an intercostal approach

A case of traumatic haemopericardium, sustained after blunt thoracic trauma, is described in a paediatric patient that was successfully drained by needle pericardiocentesis under 2D-echocardiographic guidance, via an intercostal approach, in the Children's Intensive Care Unit. The patient was haemodynamically unstable with obvious signs of cardiac tamponade. Drainage of the haemopericardium resulted in immediate improvement in haemodynamics. There was no re-accumulation of the haemopericardium. There were no complications as a result of the pericardiocentesis. No further surgical intervention was required.