Publication:

A rare case of hepatic vein puncture during attempted pericardiocentesis mimicking right atrium perforation

Emergency pericardiocentesis done for hemodynamically significant cardiac tamponad is associated with rare but life-threatening complications including cardiac chamber perforation. Echocardiography is the usual tool to diagnose procedural complications of pericardiocentesis. We are reporting a case of attempted pericardiocentesis where apparent cardiac chamber perforation by saline contrast echo turned out to be an inconsequential hepatic vein puncture.