[Iatrogenic cardiac tamponade in lung embolism]

A 65 year old man with diffuse pleural mesothelioma suffering from acute dyspnoea and chest pain underwent pericardiocentesis to withdraw pericardial effusion. After some mispunctures blood was withdrawn. Exitus in tabula. At autopsy cardiac tamponade with two cuts of the right ventricle. Pulmonary thrombembolism of the right lung. Advanced diffuse pleural mesothelioma with infiltration of lung, mediastinum, pericard, cuirrassing of left pulmonary artery and descendent aorta thoracica. The connection between iatrogenic cardiac tamponade and death couldn't be established without any doubt in the presence of a concurring cause of death (massive pulmonary thrombembolism).