A new strategy for pericardiocentesis with a visual puncture system: the feasibility and efficiency study in a pericardial effusion model

Pericardiocentesis is the life-saving procedure and accurate needle tip location is one of the important considerations to lower the procedure-related complications [ [1] Loukas M. Walters A. Boon J.M. Welch T.P. Meiring J.H. Abrahams P.H. Pericardiocentesis: a clinical anatomy review. Clin Anat. 2012; 25: 872-881 Crossref PubMed Scopus (43) Google Scholar ]. Although, based on strategies, like ECG, fluoroscopy or echocardiography, the perforation of myocardium and coronary artery are largely reduced in comparison to the blind manipulation, it is difficult to confirm the needle tip in some cases [ [2] Ainsworth C.D. Salehian O. Echo-guided pericardiocentesis: let the bubbles show the way. Circulation. 2011; 123: e210-e211 Crossref PubMed Scopus (26) Google Scholar ].