[Acute contralateral hemothorax after cannulation of the left subclavian vein for hemodialysis].

Contralateral hemothorax after subclavian vein cannulation is a rare complication of this procedure. We report one case of acute contralateral hemothorax due to perforation of the superior vena cava during left subclavian vein cannulation for hemodialysis. Perforation was attributed to the forced insertion of the skin dilator, which was accidentally pushed too far. Chest pain began immediately after perforation and was followed, a few minutes later, by hemodynamic instability. The signs and symptoms described in this report may serve to warn of the possibility of this complication.