About Video

Live/real-time three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography in a 50-year-old male status postcardiac transplantation and pericardial effusion compressing the right atrium. The arrowhead points to the compressed right atrium (RA). Cropping reveals no significant echo reflectors (solid tissue) in the effusion suggesting that it mainly comprises fluid or represents a hematoma that is of uniform, homogenous consistency. The patient improved after drainage of 1,000 cc of yellowish fluid from the pericardial cavity using a pigtail catheter.