Pericardial decompression syndrome with acute right ventricular failure: a case series

Pericardial decompression syndrome (PDS) is an uncommon complication of pericardial drainage of large pericardial effusions and cardiac tamponade characterized by paradoxical haemodynamic instability following drainage. Pericardial decompression syndrome may occur immediately, or in the days following pericardial decompression, and presents with signs and symptoms suggestive of uni-/biventricular failure or acute pulmonary oedema.

This series describes two cases of this syndrome which demonstrates acute right ventricular failure as a mechanism of PDS and provides insights into the echocardiographic findings and clinical course of this poorly understood syndrome. Case 1 describes a patient who underwent pericardiocentesis, whilst Case 2 describes a patient who underwent surgical pericardiostomy. In both patients, acute right ventricular failure was observed following the release of tamponade and is favoured to be the cause of haemodynamic instability.

Pericardial decompression syndrome is a poorly understood, likely underreported complication of pericardial drainage for cardiac tamponade associated with high morbidity and mortality. Whilst a number of hypotheses exist as to the aetiology of PDS, this case series supports haemodynamic compromise being secondary to left ventricular compression following acute right ventricular dilatation.