Large-bore thoracentesis - A case report of a fatal consequence.

Thoracentesis is a widely employed diagnostic and, at times, therapeutic procedure in many patients with diseases involving the pleural space. It has been associated with a wide range of complications. Ultrasound-guided thoracentesis is suggested if the volume of the effusion is small or if the fluid is loculated. Large-bore needle thoracentesis has also been advised. We report here a case of sonography-guided, large-bore needle thoracentesis with a fatal complication due to cardiocentesis in a woman with a dilated left ventricle.