Professional paper

Mediastinal tube placement in a premature infant with cardiorespiratory derangement due to ventilator associated pneumomediastinum

Sandro Dessardo ; Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Rijeka, Istarska 43, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
Kristina Lah Tomulić ; Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Rijeka, Istarska 43, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
Neven Frleta ; Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Rijeka, Istarska 43, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
Nada Sindičić Dessardo ; Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Rijeka, Istarska 43, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia

Abstract

While mediastinal free air in the ventilated newborn is usually benign, tension pneumomediastinum can lead to further cardiorespiratory compromise due to the compression of mediastinal structures, including the heart and large blood vessels. The authors present a case of life-threatening pneumomediastinum in a ventilated preterm leading to abrupt onset of cardiorespiratory failure. An 8 French (Fr) drainage catheter was placed in the anterior mediastinum using the 2nd right intercostal space as an insertion site, with prompt hemodynamic improvement. A brief description of the drainage technique and a literature review is presented.

Keywords

hemodynamics; mechanical ventilation; pneumomediastinum; pneumothorax; thoracocentesis

Hrčak ID:

36036

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/36036

Publication date:

1.4.2009.

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