Cardiac tamponade: a rare but preventable complication of central venous catheter in neonates

• Main Authors: Atmawidjaja, Raymond Warouw, Zainal Abidin, Mohd Azri, Ismail, Intan Hakimah
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Malaysian Medical Association 2016
• Online Access: http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/56863/1/Cardiac%20tamponade%20a%20rare%20but%20preventable%20complication%20of%20central%20venous%20catheter%20in%20neonates.pdf; http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/56863/; http://www.e-mjm.org/2016/v71n3/index.html
• Institution: Universiti Putra Malaysia

Pericardial effusion with cardiac tamponade is a rare and life-threatening complication of peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) in a neonate. We report a 33-week preterm neonate who had sudden clinical deterioration at day seven of total parenteral nutrition regime via PICC. Recognition of pericardial effusion with cardiac tamponade in neonates with a PICC requires a high index of suspicion and steps in prevention include proper catheter tip placement and continuous monitoring of line position and function.