Cardiac tamponade in a neonate secondary to the placement of a peripherally inserted central catheter

Abstract

A pericardial effusion is the abnormal accumulation of fluid between the parietal and visceral layers. The main complication of pericardial effusion is cardiac tamponade, which causes a restriction of cardiac contractility and a decrease in cardiac output. This event should be considered in any neonate who presents an acute deterioration and recent placement of a central venous catheter or peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC), with high suspicion, since it represents an emergency situation and can end in a fatal outcome.

This is a 48-hour-old newborn who presents with sudden cardiac arrest, his echocardiogram reports pericardial effusion, percutaneous pericardiocentesis is performed under echocardiographic control.

The hypothesis of cardiac tamponade and pericardial effusion should be considered for any newborn with PICC or central venous catheter insertion presenting bradycardia, hypotension, and drop in saturation or cardiac arrest, particularly if there is no history of respiratory distress or other comorbidity.