A rare complication of pericardiocentesis: Pneumopericardium

Abstract

Pneumopericardium is a rare complication of pericardiocentesis and defined as the presence of air in the pericardial space. Pneumopericardium usually occurs after trauma. However, pneumopericardium due to iatrogenic procedures, such as pericardiocentesis, is extremely rare. It can be caused by either direct pleuropericardial connection development or reverse air leakage in the drainage system. Herein, we report the case of a 39-year-old female with cardiac tamponade who developed pneumopericardium after pericardiocentesis.