CASE REPORTS   

Chirurgia 2014 December;27(6):349-51

Copyright © 2014 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Postpericardiotomy syndrome presenting with “tension hydrothorax”: is a foreign body giant cell reaction to blame?

Carr C. S., Moghul N., Mazhar R., Alkhulaifi A. M.

Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Heart Hospital, Doha, Qatar

Postpericardiotomy syndrome (PPS) is reported to occur to some degree in 10-40% of cases postcardiac surgery and is important as it may prolong hospital stay and cause serious complications. We describe an interesting case where the patient presented one month postoperatively with a “tension hydrothorax” with no pericardial effusion, and then three weeks later with a very large pericardial effusion. Pericardial histology showed a foreign body giant cell reaction. We discuss the possible causes of post-pericardiotomy syndrome and its treatment.