Fulltext

Cardiomegaly in a premature neonate after venous umbilical catheterization

Schlapbach, Luregn ; Pfammatter, Jean-Pierre ; Nelle, Mathias ; McDougall, Felicity

In: European Journal of Pediatrics, 2009, vol. 168, no. 1, p. 107-109

Ajouter à la liste personnelle
    Titre
    • Cardiomegaly in a premature neonate after venous umbilical catheterization
    Auteur
    • Schlapbach, Luregn. Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Berne, Berne, Switzerland
    • Pfammatter, Jean-Pierre. Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Berne, Berne, Switzerland
    • Nelle, Mathias. Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Berne, Berne, Switzerland
    • McDougall, Felicity. Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Berne, Berne, Switzerland
    Type de document
    • Postprint
    Langue
    • Anglais
    Publié dans
    • European Journal of Pediatrics, 2009, vol. 168, no. 1, p. 107-109. Springer-Verlag
    Autre version électronique
    Identifiant OAI-PMH
    • oai:doc.rero.ch:313950
    Summary
    Umbilical venous catheters allow rapid central access in neonates, but may be associated with various complications. We present a case of a newborn with pericardial effusion following umbilical venous catheterization. An extremely low birth weight infant was intubated for respiratory distress syndrome and had umbilical venous and arterial lines in place. Massive cardiomegaly was noted on the subsequent chest X-ray. Echocardiography revealed a large pericardial effusion without signs of tamponade. After removing the catheter, the effusion gradually resolved. While pericardial effusion is a well-known complication of percutaneous long central lines, only a few case reports have documented sudden cardiovascular compromise associated with umbilical venous catheters. Pericardial effusion may be asymptomatic and should be suspected in infants with central catheters and progressive cardiomegaly. The prompt removal of catheters and, if signs of cardiac tamponade are present, emergency pericardiocentesis may prove to be life-saving