Cardiac tamponade occurring after open heart surgery is a rare, but fatal complication necessitating urgent drainage, though postoperative pericardial effusion is common. Two-dimensional echocardiographic study provides excellent postoperative visualization of pericardial effusion. Catheter insertion guided by two-dimensional echocardiography has been used to accomplish nonoperative drainage of symptomatic postoperative pericardial effusion in 4 cases. This technique offers simplicity, safety, and cost effectiveness.