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Pericardium
Heart, front view
 
Overview   Risks   Results   

Pericardiocentesis

Alternative names:

pericardial tap

What the risks are:

  • puncturing the myocardium (heart muscle) or a coronary artery (vessels that supply blood to the heart muscle)
  • myocardial infarction
  • needle-induced arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats)
  • infection
  • puncture of the lung, liver, or stomach.

Special considerations:

Not applicable.


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