CASE AT A GLANCE
Pericardiocentesis vs. Pericardotomy

Illustrated Verdict, Inc. © All rights reserved.

Case Overview:

This case involved a patient who presented to the emergency department with pericardial effusion. The allegation was that the ED physician did not timely diagnose the cardiac tamponade and perform a pericardiocentesis. The patient had previous surgeries, esophagectomy and colectomy, which made the pericardiocentesis difficult to perform because of location of previous incisions. Ultimately a general surgeon came in and placed a pericardotomy, an incision in the pericardium to release fluid, through a right thoracotomy, which is an incision in chest wall. The jury found in favor of the defense.