Cardiac tamponade caused by central venous catheter in two newborns.

Cardiac tamponade secondary to the use of central venous catheter is a rare complication; however, it is potentially reversible when it is caught in time. We report two cases of cardiac tamponade that was diagnosed using a transthoracic echocardiography, followed by urgent pericardiocentesis and surgical pericardial drainage as a complication from umbilical venous catheterization. In one case, the tip of the catheter was properly placed, and in the other case, it was not. In both cases, a hyperosmolar solution was being injected. Although it may be an uncommon situation, it should be always considered as a possibility in a newborn who develops cardiogenic shock without an apparent cause.