Cardiac tamponade as a sequela to ventriculoatrial shunting for congenital hydrocephalus

Cardiac tamponade is a life-threatening condition that demands prompt diagnosis and emergency intervention to prevent the sequelae of persistent low cardiac output, cardiopulmonary failure, and death. Cardiac tamponade due to pericardial collection of cerebrospinal fluid is a rare but recognized sequela associated with ventriculoatrial shunts used in the management of congenital hydrocephalus. Herein, we describe the treatment of an 8-month-old infant with multiple congenital anomalies who presented with cardiac tamponade. This condition was caused by cardiac perforation by the distal tip of a ventriculoatrial shunt catheter. Timely pericardiostomy and repair of the cardiac perforation through a left anterior thoracotomy resulted in an uneventful recovery.