Pneumocardium Captured on Bedside Transesophageal Echocardiography—An Unreported Complication of Needle Thoracostomy

Abstract

We describe a case of left-sided pneumocardium, identified by transesophageal echocardiography, following needle thoracostomy in a tertiary intensive care unit (ICU). Bilateral needle thoracostomy was performed during a cardiac arrest. Intracardiac arrest echocardiography demonstrated pneumocardium immediately following the procedure, with air in the left atrium (LA) and left ventricle (LV). This previously unreported consequence of needle decompression contributes to a growing body of literature that questions the value of this intervention.

Keywords

• needle thoracostomy
• pneumothorax
• transesophageal echocardiography
• trauma