A 64-year-old male with acute cardiac tamponade caused by a malformed staple post-VATS was successfully rescued using immediate pericardiocentesis, early VA-ECMO, and definitive surgical repair.
Case Report (n=1)
No
A protocolized multidisciplinary rescue approach including pericardiocentesis, ECMO, and surgical repair is lifesaving for acute cardiac tamponade due to delayed staple-related vascular injury post-VATS.
This case highlights a novel, delayed mechanism of staple-related vascular injury that can occur even after right-sided video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. It demonstrates that rapid diagnosis, immediate pericardiocentesis, early extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support, and definitive surgical repair within a multidisciplinary framework are paramount for survival. This report advocates for heightened vigilance during stapling near vital structures and reinforces the lifesaving potential of a protocolized rescue approach.
Gao et al. (2026) conducted a case report in Acute cardiac tamponade post VATS (n=1). Multidisciplinary rescue (pericardiocentesis, VA-ECMO, surgical repair) was evaluated on Patient survival and recovery. A 64-year-old male with acute cardiac tamponade caused by a malformed staple post-VATS was successfully rescued using immediate pericardiocentesis, early VA-ECMO, and definitive surgical repair.