An Overlap Presentation of Pericardial Decompression Syndrome and Stress Cardiomyopathy Following Therapeutic Pericardiocentesis

Abstract

Pericardial decompression syndrome, defined as paradoxical hypotension and pulmonary edema after pericardiocentesis, is a rare complication of pericardiocentesis. Stress cardiomyopathy, caused by excess catecholamine response resulting in left ventricular dysfunction and elevated cardiac enzymes, can overlap with pericardial decompression syndrome, and both might belong to the same spectrum of disease. ( Level of Difficulty: Intermediate. )

Pericardial Decompression Syndrome After Drainage of Chronic Pericardial Effusions

“… 1 Some cases of PDS exhibit apical ballooning of the LV cavity, the hallmark of stress cardiomyopathy, but this is an uncommon finding. 31 , 39 Relief of tamponade may cause increased RV filling and RV dilatation that impinges on the LV cavity and inhibits LV filling. Septal shift has been observed by echocardiography in some cases of PDS, but this is also an infrequent feature.…”