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Pericardiocentesis

From DrKoop's partner site on heart disease, MyHeartCentral.com
InjuryDiseasesNutritionPoison
SymptomsSurgeryTestSpecial Topic
Overview Results Risks Prevention
Heart, front view
Heart, front view
Pericardium
Pericardium
Alternative Names

Pericardial tap; Percutaneous pericardiocentesis


What the risks are
  • Puncture of the heart muscle (myocardium) or a coronary artery (vessel that supplies blood to the heart muscle)
  • Pneumopericardium (air in the pericardial sac)
  • Heart attack
  • Irregular heartbeats arrhythmias
  • Infection (pericarditis)
  • Puncture of the lung, liver, or stomach

Special considerations


Review Date: 11/06/2006
Reviewed By: Glenn Gandelman, MD, MPH, Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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