Evaluation of a technique for avoiding inadvertent myocardial laceration in an experimental canine model: expansion of the role of two-dimensional echocardiography.

An experimental animal model was utilized to evaluate the role of simultaneous two-dimensional echocardiography combined with a modified electrocardiographic monitoring technique for improving the safety of pericardiocentesis. This technique avoids the hazards of placing the sharp pericardiocentesis needle against the heart in order to determine its location against the epicardial surface. This technique was evaluated in eight dogs in over 100 aspiration attempts. Cardiac trauma occurred only in a single incidence with the use of a 20-gauge cannula. A detailed description of this procedure is provided in the text.