J Korean Soc Neonatol.  2011 May;18(1):153-157. 10.5385/jksn.2011.18.1.153.

Two Cases of Tension Pneumopericardium in Mechanically Ventilated Preterm Infants

• Maeng SH
• Seo HJ
• Shin J
• Jung J
• Kim JK
• Yoo HS
• Ahn SY
• Kim ES
• Chang YS
• Park WS

• KMID: 2188482
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5385/jksn.2011.18.1.153

Abstract

Pneumopericardium is a rare form of neonatal air leakage. Tension pneumopericardium is much more infrequent, but can cause a cardiovascular deterioration with high mortality up to 80% and neurodevelopmental morbidity in half of the cases. We report two cases of preterm infants who successfully recovered from tension pneumopericardium that developed during mechanical ventilator assistance. The patients displayed a sudden increase in oxygen demand and subsequent cardiovascular deterioration. Immediate needle aspiration of the pneumopericardium performed after checking X-ray images rescued each of patient. Since the clinical symptoms are non-specific, clinicians' suspicion is most important when patients show sudden refractory cardiovascular collapse, especially in ventilator-assisted neonates. This life threatening complication demands instant diagnosis and intervention.

Keyword

Pneumopericardium; Preterm infant; Mechanical ventilator

MeSH Terms

Humans
Infant, Newborn
Infant, Premature
Needles
Oxygen
Pneumopericardium
Ventilators, Mechanical
Oxygen