Extrapericardial cardiac compression syndrome.

A case report is described of a patient presenting with extrapericardial cardiac compression resulting from massive ascites. The history and electrocardiographic findings initially obscured the proper diagnosis. Extrapericardial cardiac compression syndromes resulting from massive ascites pose a particular challenge in that even when the diagnosis of tamponade is made, failure to recognize the true cause of impaired cardiac filling can lead to unnecessary instrumentation of an otherwise incidental pericardial effusion. This unique case is discussed with other group of conditions of pericardial compressive syndromes.