Pneumopericardial tamponade in a patient with partial sternal dehiscence.

We present a rare case of sudden pneumopericardial tamponade in a patient with partial sternal dehiscence after cardiac surgery. Urgent decompression was needed in the management of the condition. Vacuum-assisted closure therapy was also used to prevent the problem from recurring. When there is acute hemodynamic deterioration in a patient with sternal wound dehiscence, pneumopericardial tamponade should be considered as a possible complication.