Newborn who developed an episode of cardiac decompensation

Cardiovascular
CXR of pericardial effusion due to catheter perforation into pericardial space
CXR AP obtained after left subclavian line placement (above) shows the tip of the line in the right atrium. CXR AP obtained 3 days later during the episode of cardiac decompensation (below) shows interval enlargement of the cardiac silhouette. ECHO showed the subclavian line had perforated into the pericardial space resulting in a hemopericardium.

The diagnosis was subclavian venous catheter malfunction due to it perforating into the pericardial space resulting in a pericardial effusion.

Published