Transient left ventricular dysfunction after therapeutic pericardiocentesis - Takotsubo cardiomyopathy or pericardial decompression syndrome

Abstract

We present a case of reversible left ventricular (LV) dysfunction with characteristic stress or "Takotsubo" cardiomyopathy (SCM) after therapeutic pericardiocentesis in a patient with tubercular pericardial effusion. SCM following pericardiocentesis is uncommon, as opposed to the well-defined entity, pericardial decompression syndrome (PDS). PDS is defined as a paradoxical deterioration of hemodynamics and development of severe biventricular dysfunction, cardiogenic shock, and pulmonary edema after uneventful, often large volume pericardiocentesis in patients of pericardial effusion.

Keywords

• stress cardiomyopathy
• cardiac tamponade
• lv dysfunction