Percutaneous balloon pericardiotomy in a patient with end stage renal disease with recurrent pericardial effusion & pericardial tamponade

A case report of 37-year-old female with end stage renal disease presented with recurrent pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade, who underwent percutaneous balloon pericardiotomy using an Inoue balloon dilating catheter, to create a non-surgical pericardial window. The procedure of non-surgical pericardial window is safe and effective alternative to conventional more invasive surgical pericardial window. It is concluded that percutaneous balloon pericardiotomy is helpful in the management of massive pericardial effusions particularly in patients with chronic renal failure and poor clinical condition.