Pericardiocentesis guided by 2-D echocardiography: the method of choice for treatment of pericardial effusion.
BACKGROUND
Percutaneous pericardiocentesis guided by 2-D echocardiography has been used at Linköping Heart Centre since 1983.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate our experience of this method including a follow-up and also to determine the aetiology of pericardial effusion.


METHODS
A retrospective study including 120 of 252 consecutive patients punctured.


RESULTS
The two most common aetiologies were cardiac surgery (77% valve surgery), followed by malignant disease. The postsurgical effusions became clinically important a median of 12 days after surgery (range 0-56 days). The median survival in the group with malignant disease was 89 days (30-day survival 87%, 1-year survival 10%). Indwelling catheter was used in 93% of the patients. There was no mortality but one patient needed a second pericardiocentesis after an accidental puncture of the right ventricle. Nine patients had rhythm aberrations. Recurring effusion that needed puncture was seen in 8%.


CONCLUSIONS
Pericardiocentesis guided by 2-D echocardiography is a safe and efficient method to treat pericardial effusion and also valuable as palliative treatment for patients with malignant aetiology of the effusion.
Lindenberger
M
M
Department of Medicine and Care, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, Sweden.
Kjellberg
M
M
Karlsson
E
E
Wranne
B
B
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002305:Cardiac Tamponade / Q000601:surgery*; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D020519:Pericardiocentesis / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000379:methods*