Published online Jan 26, 2021. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i3.602
Peer-review started: November 11, 2020
First decision: November 24, 2020
Revised: November 26, 2020
Accepted: December 6, 2020
Article in press: December 6, 2020
Published online: January 26, 2021
Processing time: 70 Days and 10.4 Hours
Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) have been increasingly applied worldwide owing to many advantages. Even with these advantages, the related complications should not be ignored, especially in neonates. The available evidence about PICC-related thrombosis was manifold, but the cardiac tamponade, an emergency and life-threatening complication, has been rarely reported. Early recognized cardiac tamponade by ultrasound may reduce mortality.
A neonate weighting 2.8 kg was born at 40 wk of gestation. He was admitted to the Surgery Intensive Care Unit due to suspected congenital megacolon. A PICC line was inserted via the left antecubital fossa for the administration of total parenteral nutrition. Three days later, the patient was still on total parenteral nutrition. Cardiac tamponade caused by PICC was found on ultrasound. The patient recovered spontaneously after an emergency pericardiocentesis.
Proficiency in the use of point-of-care ultrasound may save the life of patients, since it enables clinicians to treat patients faster, more accurately, and in a non-invasive way at the point of care.
Core Tip: Physicians should be vigilant to delayed cardiac tamponade even if the patient had been using peripherally inserted central catheters for several days. Proficiency in the use of point-of-care ultrasound may save the life of the patients in intensive care unit, emergency department, as well as operation rooms, since it enables clinicians to treat patients faster, more accurately, and in a non-invasive way at the point of care.