American journal of surgery
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This retrospective study was undertaken to determine the mechanism by which cardiac tamponade (CT) occurs after placement of central venous catheters (CVC), and to determine if physicians are aware of this potentially lethal complication. ⋯ Cardiac tamponade from central venous catheters is preventable if the tip of the catheter is outside the cardiac silhouette on chest radiograph. Any patient with a CVC in place who develops unexplained hypotension, chest tightness, or shortness of breath should have an emergency echocardiogram to rule out cardiac tamponade.