[Pericardial tamponade: a rare but severe complication of a vena cava catheter. Case report]

A case of catheter-induced cardiac tamponade followed by successfully treated cardiac arrest is reported in a 5-month old infant with oesophageal atresia. The complication occurred after a delay of 16 h following catheter placement and was diagnosed by ultra-sound technique. Treatment consisted of direct pericardial puncture. Cardiac tamponade is an unusual, but potentially fatal complication and is always due to incorrect catheter tip position.