Pericardial Decompression Syndrome and an Evanescent Tricuspid Regurgitation: A Real Conundrum

Abstract

Cardiac tamponade is a life-threatening condition that requires emergency pericardiocentesis. In rare cases, pericardial drainage may be followed by “pericardial decompression syndrome” (PDS), a poorly understood but potentially fatal syndrome characterized by acute ventricular dysfunction. It may present in different clinical forms of varying severity and be managed differently depending on the clinical context. In this article, we report an atypical presentation of this syndrome, with the development of laminar tricuspid regurgitation after pericardial drainage. To our knowledge, this complication has never been reported in the medical literature. Our understanding of the pathophysiology of this condition is based entirely on case reports. And because clinical studies are difficult to perform, the best defense against PDS is early detection so that it can be recognized and treated quickly.