Pulmonary Edema after Pericardiocentesis for Cardiac Tamponade

DIAGNOSTIC and therapeutic aspiration of fluid from various body cavities is a common procedure. The amount of fluid that can be removed safely at one time is limited by potential complications. In patients with cirrhosis of the liver and ascites, a reduction in stroke volume and cardiac output can occur if more than 1500 ml of ascitic fluid is removed.¹ Removal of more than 2000 ml of pleural fluid can result in unilateral pulmonary edema.² We have not previously observed pulmonary edema as a complication of pericardiocentesis for cardiac tamponade. We describe a patient with cardiac tamponade caused by carcinomatous.