Left ventricular puncture during thoracentesis

BMJ Case Rep. 2019 Apr 8;12(4):e227613. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2018-227613.

Abstract

Left ventricular puncture during a thoracentesis is a rare and unusual complication that has yet to be reported. We report a case in which a 74-year-old woman with dilated ischaemic heart disease suffered from puncture of the left ventricle during a routine ultrasound-guided thoracentesis despite following the recommended protocol and procedures. She became haemodynamically unstable and underwent an emergent thoracotomy for removal of the catheter and repair of the left ventricular wall.

Keywords: cardiovascular medicine; interventional cardiology; interventional radiology; radiology; respiratory medicine.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Cardiac Catheterization / adverse effects*
  • Drainage
  • Female
  • Heart Ventricles / injuries*
  • Humans
  • Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular / diagnostic imaging
  • Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular / surgery*
  • Postoperative Complications
  • Punctures
  • Thoracentesis / adverse effects*
  • Ultrasonography, Interventional