First Reported Case of Iatrogenic Cardiac Tamponade Following Chest Drain Insertion for Tension Pneumothorax in a Premature Newborn

TL;DR

This paper describes the first reported case of a rare heart complication in a premature baby caused by a medical procedure to treat a collapsed lung.

Contribution

This is the first documented case of iatrogenic cardiac tamponade in a premature newborn due to chest drain insertion.

Findings

A 34-week premature newborn developed cardiac tamponade after a chest drain attempt for tension pneumothorax.

The complication resulted from direct myocardial disruption and pericardial penetration during the procedure.

Abstract

Cardiac tamponade is a challenging clinical situation in preterm newborns. We report the first case of an iatrogenic cardiac tamponade secondary to direct myocardial disruption with pericardial penetration following unsuccessful attempts to drain a right tension pneumothorax in a 34-week premature female newborn. The pathophysiologic mechanisms involved are discussed.

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