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Pericardiocentesis


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Heart, front view
Heart, front view
Pericardium
Pericardium
OverviewRisksResults

Pericardiocentesis

Alternative Names:

Pericardial tap; Percutaneous pericardiocentesis
What the risks are:
  • Puncture of the myocardium (heart muscle) or a coronary artery (vessels that supply blood to the heart muscle)
  • Pneumopericardium (allowing air into the pericardial sac)
  • Myocardial infarction (heart attack)
  • Needle-induced arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats)
  • Infection (pericarditis)
  • Puncture of the lung, liver, or stomach
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