Coroner's Finding: Oosterloo, Jane

63y · Female·Haemopericardium (pericardial tamponade) caused by perforation of the right ventricle during ultrasound-guided transthoracic pericardiocentesis procedure

Jane Oosterloo, 63, died from haemopericardium (pericardial tamponade) caused by right ventricular perforation during ultrasound-guided transthoracic pericardiocentesis. She presented with influenza B complicated by myocarditis, pericarditis, pericardial effusion, and viral pneumonia. After initial discharge, she returned with worsening symptoms including hypotension, acute kidney injury, and declining cardiac function (LVEF 40%). The pericardiocentesis was performed as an emergency life-saving procedure when cardiac output dropped to 1.6 L/min. The medical adviser confirmed treatment quality was appropriate and the procedure decision was correct; perforation of the right ventricle is a recognised complication of pericardiocentesis that frequently proves fatal. Death occurred despite best clinical efforts.