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Perforation of Jejunum as a Rare Complication of Pericardiocentesis: A Case Report

Fatemeh Bahrami1, Maryam Mehrpooya2, Seyed Mohsen Ahmadi3

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex Tehran University of Medical Science Tehran Iran.

Clinical Case Reports
|June 19, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Echocardiography-guided pericardiocentesis improves safety, but rare complications like jejunal perforation can occur. Prompt diagnosis and emergency management are crucial for these serious iatrogenic injuries.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Interventional Procedures

Background:

  • Pericardiocentesis is a procedure to treat cardiac tamponade.
  • Echocardiography guidance has improved the safety of pericardiocentesis.
  • Serious complications, though rare, can include injury to cardiac chambers, vessels, and abdominal viscera.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight a rare case of iatrogenic jejunal perforation following pericardiocentesis.
  • To emphasize the diagnostic challenges and emergent management of this complication.

Main Methods:

  • Case report presentation.
  • Review of relevant medical literature.
  • Description of diagnostic and emergent surgical management.

Main Results:

  • A rare case of jejunal perforation secondary to pericardiocentesis is detailed.
  • The complication was promptly diagnosed and successfully managed with emergency surgery.
  • This case underscores the potential for rare but serious gastrointestinal injury.

Conclusions:

  • While echocardiography-guided pericardiocentesis is generally safe, clinicians must remain vigilant for rare complications.
  • Iatrogenic intestinal injury is a rare but critical complication requiring swift diagnosis and intervention.
  • This case emphasizes the importance of considering gastrointestinal injury in patients presenting with abdominal symptoms post-pericardiocentesis.

Keywords:
bowel perforationcase reportlaparotomypericardiocentesistamponade

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