title: Thoracoscopic creation of a pericardial window for recurrent pericardial effusion after heart transplantation.
abstract: A 56-year-old man underwent orthotopic heart transplantation (Htx) for dilative cardiomyopathy. The postoperative course was uneventful despite the appearance of pericardial effusions during the first 6 months, which required repeated drainage therapy. Six months postoperatively a pericardial window was created using a thoracoscopic approach via the right pleural cavity. The course after this intervention was uncomplicated and there was no recurrence of the pericardial effusion during 18 months of follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Christian-Albrechts-University Hospital, Kiel, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brandt
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brückner
authors.forename: S W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Hirt
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cremer
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schröder
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Haverich
mesh_terms: D004724:Endoscopy; D016027:Heart Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000601:surgery*; D010491:Pericardial Window Techniques; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery*; D012008:Recurrence; D013906:Thoracoscopy; D016896:Treatment Outcome