Pericardial Effusion after Central Venous Catheterization of Subclavian Vein

ABSTRACT

Central venous catheterization of a subclavian vein is commonly used in emergency departments for hemodynamic monitoring of patients undergoing shock. Though central venous catheterization has many advantages, it can cause various complications such as bleeding, pneumothorax, infection, or endocarditis. We report a 62-year-old female who had a pericardial effusion complication caused by central venous catheterization of the right subclavian vein. A computed tomography scan revealed a contrast-enhanced pericardium and catheter tubegraphy, which suggested the malpositioning of the catheter tip in the pericardial space. After removing the central venous catheter, pericardial effusion spontaneously resolved and the patient had no further adverse events from hemopericardium.