Pericardial Decompression Syndrome After Drainage of Chronic Pericardial Effusions

Pericardial Decompression Syndrome: A Comprehensive Review of a Controversial Entity

“…5 There have been numerous case reports of patients who, after resolution of shock following pericardial decompression, experienced clinical deterioration that could not be attributed to any other distinct clinical pathology. [5][6][7][8][9][10] This clinical deterioration has been associated with isolated left or right ventricular failure, or even biventricular failure, resulting in complications ranging from pulmonary edema to death. 10 Originally deemed "low cardiac output syndrome," subsequent case reports have standardized the nomenclature for this entity as pericardial decompression syndrome (PDS).…”