Isolated pneumopericardium caused by positive pressure ventilation: A rare complication

We present a case of isolated pneumopericardium as a rare complication of mechanical ventilation (MV). A 52-year-old male with hypertension, obesity (BMI 35), impaired glucose tolerance, and a history of heavy smoking, was brought by ambulance to our hospital. He had a one day history of increasing respiratory distress, and presented in a shocked and acidotic state necessitating urgent intubation, MV, fluid resuscitation and noradrenaline infusion. A computerized tomography (CT) scan excluded any pulmonary embolism.
Source: Journal of Clinical Anesthesia - Category: Anesthesiology Authors: Tags: Correspondence Source Type: research