Cardiac tamponade following central line in premature neonate: Case report and review of the literature

With improved survival of extremely premature neonates, use of peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) lines has gained favor as a means for providing parenteral nutrition. Improvements in technology have made their use safe. Pericardial effusion (PE) and cardiac tamponade resulting from placement of a PICC line is a rare but serious complication. There is controversy about the ideal location of the tip of the PICC line. We present a case of cardiac tamponade secondary to a PE following PICC line placement. We also have reviewed the literature for this complication.