Author/Authors :
Kumar Sinha, Santosh Associate Professor - Department of Cardiology - LPS Institute of Cardiology - Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Memorial Medical College, Pradesh, India , Aggarwal, Puneet Department of Cardiology - LPS Institute of Cardiology - Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Memorial Medical College Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India , Samrat, Sidhdarth Department of Cardiology - LPS Institute of Cardiology - Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Memorial Medical College Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India , Pandey, Umeshwar Department of Cardiology - LPS Institute of Cardiology - Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Memorial Medical College Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India , Krishna, Vinay Department of Cardiology - LPS Institute of Cardiology - Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Memorial Medical College Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India
Abstract :
BACKGROUND: Pneumopericardium, presence of air in pericardial cavity, is rare entity with
potentially severe complications and mortality. In the neonatal period, it is associated with
prematurity, low birth weight, and assisted ventilation, but in full term neonates its occurrence
after resuscitation is exceedingly rare.
CASE REPORT: Our patient was a 2-day old full term neonate who developed respiratory distress
following active resuscitation which was carried out at the time of birth in lieu of perinatal asphyxia.
He was immediately put on mechanical ventilatory support. Chest x-ray showed a "halo sign"- rim
of air completely surrounding the heart, and echocardiography confirmed pneumopericardium with
cardiac tamponade. Pericardiocentesis was performed as a life saving measure.
CONCLUSION: He was successfully discharged on the tenth day following sheath removal, and is
doing fine on follow up.
