[Late cardiac tamponade after open heart surgery].

59 cases of late cardiac tamponade following open heart surgery were studied. The incidence was 2.1%. Postoperative prolonged heart failure, anticoagulants, and blood in the pericardium left undrained may play a role in its pathogenesis. Echocardiography was the sure method of diagnosis. Insertion of a drainage tube into the pericardium through the subxiphoid approach was effective with minimal invasion and a treatment of choice.