Pericardial Effusion Secondary to Dressler′s Syndrome Leading to Intractable Ventricular Tachycardia: Pericardio (Centesis) - Cardioversion of an Electrical Tamponade

Abstract

Post infarction pericarditis, Dressler's syndrome is a well-recognized condition, but its incidence has decreased in the present interventional era due to early reperfusion strategy. We encountered an unusual association of large pericardial effusion secondary to Dressler's syndrome and intractable ventricular tachycardia that reverted upon pericardiocentesis. We coined a term “electrical tamponade” to describe an electrical storm or high-grade ventricular arrhythmias secondary to pericardial effusion.

Keywords

• acute myocardial infarction/adverse effects
• dressler's syndrome
• pericardial effusion/etiology
• ventricular tachycardia/etiology