ASPIRATION/PIGTAIL INSERTION FOR PERICARDIAL EFFUSION

What is pericardial effusion:

• Pericardial effusion is abnormal collection of fluid within pericardial cavity (sac around heart).
• It can be caused by multiple reasons like infection, cancer or trauma.

Why it necessary to drain:

• If large fluid is accumulated in pericardial cavity, it will hampers cardiac function and can leads to cardiac arrest if very large volume of fluid is accumulated.

What is pericardiocentesis:

• Pericardiocentesis, also called a pericardial tap or drainage, is a procedure done to remove fluid by needle or catheter from the pericardium, the sac around heart.

What are the benefit of pericardiocentesis:

• The fluid is tested for signs of infection, inflammation, and the presence of blood and cancer.
• This procedure can be lifesaving in patients with cardiac tamponade (very large amount of fluid within pericardium) which is a time sensitive, life-threatening condition that requires prompt diagnosis and management. The effect of pericardiocentesis is often immediate: the drainage of a few millilitres of the effusion significantly improves cardiac function.

Preparation for procedure:

• Few basic blood investigations like CBC, PT/INR, viral markers.
• Bring all the records including imaging record.
• Signing consent form.

What are risks:

• Very few, includes bleeding, arrhythmia, infection (<1 case in 1000).