Since Arinkin1 first used sternal marrow aspiration, in 1927, the incidence of serious complications from the procedure has been low. However, the operation is not innocuous. Thirteen deaths following sternal puncture have been reported in the world literature,* all of which have occurred in the past 11 years. When performed, autopsies on these cases showed acute cardiac tamponade to be the cause of death. Our search of the literature indicates that the present report of a case of acute cardiac tamponade from sternal marrow aspiration is the first reported case in which the diagnosis was made and in which the tamponade was successfully treated.
REPORT OF A CASE
A 24-year-old Negro man was admitted to the Roper Hospital on Sept. 27, 1951, with the chief complaints of vomiting and swelling of the legs for the previous two weeks.The patient stated that approximately one year before admission he was