Thoracoscopic window for a post-coronary artery bypass grafting pericardial effusion.

ABSTRACT

We report the case of a 60-year-old man presenting with a symptomatic, posteriorly loculated, pericardial effusion, and a concomitant pleural effusion a month after coronary artery bypass grafting. Following the initial insertion of an intercostal drain, he was treated by thoracoscopic creation of a pericardial window. His postoperative recovery was uneventful, and he remains well 6 months post-procedure. Creation of a thoracoscopic pericardial window is a safe and feasible option in the management of patients with loculated pericardial effusions.