A Rare Case of Hemorrhagic Pericardial Effusion With Cardiac Tamponade Caused by Needle Embolism in an Intravenous Drug User.

Authors

Swarup Sharma Rijal, Dept of Internal Medicine, Reading Hospital-Tower Health, West Reading, PAFollow
Roopika Reddy MD, Department of Pulmonology and Critical Care, Tower Health Medical Group, Wyomissing, PAFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-1-2022

Abstract

Needle embolization in the heart leading to pericardial effusion with cardiac tamponade is rare. We present an unusual case of an intravenous drug user presenting with severe anginal pain with a history of intravenous needle use one month back, whose bedside echocardiography demonstrated pericardial effusion leading to tamponade. Emergent open sternotomy and exploration revealed an inadvertent tuberculin needle and hemorrhagic pericardial effusion. After removal of the needle, subsequent multiple follow-up echocardiography did not demonstrate reoccurrence of effusion.

Publication Title

Cureus

Volume

14

Issue

4

First Page

23825

Last Page

23825

Recommended Citation

Rijal, S., & Reddy, R. (2022). A Rare Case of Hemorrhagic Pericardial Effusion With Cardiac Tamponade Caused by Needle Embolism in an Intravenous Drug User.. Cureus, 14 (4), 23825-23825. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.7759%2Fcureus.23825