Detection of intrapericardial hematoma after open heart surgery: the roles of echocardiography and computed tomography.

Two patients who had right atrial compression caused by intrapericardial hematomas after coronary artery bypass grafting and aortic valve replacement are described. During the course of postoperative evaluation, each patient underwent an echocardiographic examination followed by computed tomography of the chest. Two-dimensional echocardiography visualized the hematomas in both cases. Computed tomography played a useful adjunctive role by further clarifying their nature, location and extent.