Background: Iatrogenic hemorrhagic pericardial tamponade (IHPT) represents a life-threating condition requiring emergency pericardiocentesis. In this clinical context, reinfusion of pericardial blood can stabilize the patient and sustain hemodynamic conditions.
Aims and methods: We reviewed all cases of IHPT occurred at our hospital over a 10 years span. In all patient autologous blood reinfusion through a femoral vein was performed.
Results: In our clinical experience of 30 consecutive patients with hemorrhagic cardiac tamponade, this technique was successful to limit blood transfusions, to prevent further clinical worsening and bridge patients with intractable bleeding, to cardiac surgery. No major adverse reactions were directly related to blood autotransfusion.
Conclusion: In the complex clinical scenario of acute tamponade occurring during catheter-based cardiac procedures, autotransfusion of pericardial blood through a femoral vein is safe and effective. It can be a useful trick up the sleeve of the interventional cardiologist.
Keywords: autologous pericardial blood transfusion; cardiac tamponade; coronary perforation; pericardiocentesis; resuscitation.
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