Cardiac tamponade following post-pericardiotomy syndrome

Abstract

Subxyphoid pericardial window (SPW) is performed as both a diagnostic and therapeutic intervention in patients presenting with a penetrating cardiac injury (PCI). Post-pericardiotomy syndrome (PPS) with cardiac tamponade has been reported after penetrating cardiac trauma and after transdiaphragmatic pericardial window. We describe the first PPS with acute tamponade, weeks after diagnostic SPW for a PCI.