RESUMO
Pericardial tamponade due to myocardial perforation from central venous catheter is rather unusual, especially if it happens during a trans-operative period. When it comes up, it has a high mortality risk if the pericardial fluid is not drained at the proper time. At the Oncology Hospital of the National Medical Center, IMSS, Mexico City (Hospital de Oncología del Centro Médico Nacional, Siglo XXI), at the Anesthesia Service, a case of tamponade in transoperative period came up, after a surgical procedure that lasted more than 6 hours, and that manifested itself with signs of cardiogenic shock that did not improve with treatment. The etiology was not diagnosed until a postmortem study. If it had been diagnosed on time, its clinical evolution would have been different with an opportune and correct treatment.