Pneumopericardium due to long sheath during transcatheter closure of PFO

Abstract

Pneumopericardium due to long sheath during transcatheter closure of PFO Pneumopericardium is a rare complication of following cardiovasculer intervention. Untreated, it can lead to cardiac tamponade and thus must be promptly identified to treat the underlying etiology. This article reports a 64 year-old-woman developed pneumopericardium during transcatheter closure of patent foramen ovale (PFO). While retrieiving the loader through the long sheath which was placed in to the left upper pulmonary vein, radiolucent areas along the anterior wall of the heart was detected, suggesting pneumopericardium.