BACKGROUND: Thoracoabdominal esophagogastrectomy is associated with a number of potential life-threatening complications. PATIENTS: We describe a patient with intraoperative hypotension in which a number of therapeutic maneuvers eventually led to the diagnosis of cardiac tamponade. RESULTS: Once the diagnosis of tamponade was made, it was successfully treated by the release of intrapericardial blood. CONCLUSIONS: Although rare, tamponade should be considered as a cause of hemodynamic instability whenever intraoperative manipulation of the heart has occurred.
BACKGROUND: Thoracoabdominal esophagogastrectomy is associated with a number of potential life-threatening complications. PATIENTS: We describe a patient with intraoperative hypotension in which a number of therapeutic maneuvers eventually led to the diagnosis of cardiac tamponade. RESULTS: Once the diagnosis of tamponade was made, it was successfully treated by the release of intrapericardial blood. CONCLUSIONS: Although rare, tamponade should be considered as a cause of hemodynamic instability whenever intraoperative manipulation of the heart has occurred.