Figure 1. (A) Subcostal two-dimensional echocardiogram showing a large pericardial effusion (PE) with collapse of the right ventricular (RV) free wall during diastole. (B) Doppler echocardiography demonstrating marked changes in left ventricular outflow tract velocity during respiratory fluctuations. (C, D) Agitated saline contrast within the pericardial space
The patient underwent therapeutic subxiphoid pericardiocentesis guided by contrast echocardiography. Pericardiocentesis is not without risk, and complications include laceration of cardiac chamber or coronary artery, aspiration of ventricular blood, arrhythmias, pneumothorax and punctur
