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Two-dimensional echocardiographic detection of pericardiocentesis-induced intrapericardial thrombus
Insights
Heart puncture during pericardiocentesis can cause hemopericardium. Echocardiography reveals a unique echodensity thrombus, indicating active pericardial bleeding, aiding diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Pericardiocentesis is a procedure to drain fluid from the pericardial sac.
- Hemopericardium, or blood in the pericardial sac, is a potential complication.
- Distinguishing active bleeding from other pericardial masses can be challenging.
Abstract:
Heart puncture-induced hemopericardium is a serious complication of the pericardiocentesis. Two-dimensional echocardiographic examination performed in two patients just before and after the development of hemopericardium revealed a unique image in which pericardial bleeding manifested itself by an echodensity thrombus appearance adjacent to the cardiac chambers. With appropriate differentiation to some other intrapericardial echodensity masses, such distinctive images can be highly specific for active bleeding into the pericardial sac.