A Rare Case of Hemorrhagic Pericardial Effusion With Cardiac Tamponade Caused by Needle Embolism in an Intravenous Drug User

Needle embolization in the heart leading to pericardial effusion with cardiac tamponade is rare. We present an unusual case of an intravenous drug user presenting with severe anginal pain with a history of intravenous needle use one month back, whose bedside echocardiography demonstrated pericardial effusion leading to tamponade. Emergent open sternotomy and exploration revealed an inadvertent tuberculin needle and hemorrhagic pericardial effusion. After removal of the needle, subsequent multiple follow-up echocardiography did not demonstrate reoccurrence of effusion.