Nothing. And if you believe Hill's last book (GANGSTERS AND GOODFELLAS), Karen had an affair with Paul Vario, which probably would have made her getting clipped even more unlikely.

I'm hardly a Mob apologist or romantic (as everyone here knows), and wives, siblings, children and innocents do get hurt in that life once in awhile (Pete Chiodo's sister, anyone?) But in that particular case, I doubt Karen was ever in any danger.

On film, the scene was shot to demonstrate the drug fueled paranoia of both Henry and Karen.