Fatal Intramyocardial Hemorrhage After Pericardiotomy in a Patient With von Willebrand Disease

Patients with large pericardial effusions and possible tamponade undergoing general anesthesia for pericardial drainage are generally thought to be at a highest risk of cardiovascular collapse before drainage of the effusion. Here, we report a case of extensive and fatal intramyocardial hemorrhage after drainage of a pericardial effusion in a patient with von Willebrand disease.