Chest. 2000 May; 117(5): 1510-1.

Cardiac tamponade following acupuncture.

Kirchgatterer A, Schwarz CD, HÃ¶ller E, Punzengruber C, Hartl P, Eber B.

Departments of Cardiology, General Hospital Wels, Austria.

We present a rare complication of acupuncture in a 83-year-old woman who developed syncope and cardiogenic shock shortly after an acupuncture procedure into the sternum. Echocardiography revealed cardiac tamponade, and pericardiocentesis disclosed hemopericardium. Due to hemodynamic instability, thoracotomy was indicated. A small but actively bleeding perforation of the right ventricle was found and successfully closed. Although acupuncture represents a relatively safe therapeutic intervention, this case report should remind all acupuncturists of possible and sometimes life-threatening adverse effects.