PEDIATRICS Vol. 57 No. 6 June 1976, pp. 967-970
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Pericardial Window Complicated by Acute Congestive Heart Failure in a Patient With Chronic Pericardial Effusion

David B. Herzog M.D.1, Enid M. Gilbert M.B.B.S.1, Jay M. Levy M.D.1, and Kyung J. Chung M.D.1

1 Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin, Medical School, Madison, Wisconsin

Pericardial effusion, as part of the post-pericardiotomy syndrome, appears in the early postoperative period and is generally benign and self-limited.1

Recently, a patient developed chronic pericardial effusion with cardiac tamponade after repair of Ebstein's anomaly. Surgical drainage of the pericardial effusion resulted in acute cardiac failure and death.

The purpose of this paper is to present this case and to discuss the pathophysiology and prevention of cardiac failure as a complication of chronic pericardial effusion.

CASE REPORT

L. B. (UWH No. 684 090) had Ebstein's anomaly confirmed at age 6 weeks by cardiac catheterization. Because of progressive cyanosis and exercise intolerance, at the age of 13 years she underwent total repair of tricuspid valvulopasty and closure of atrial septal defect.