[Pericardiocentesis in a critical care unit].
OBJECTIVE
Study patients diagnosed of pericardial effusion and pericardiocentesis was made. We search the etiology, complications and the cnic's mortality.


METHODS
69 patients of Clinic Hospital of Zaragoza admitted in the critical care unit.


RESULTS
We present 69 patients with 20-87 years old, 21 women and 48 men. The most frequent ethiology was neoplasic, 19 patients(27.5%), in most cases lung and breast cancer; 17 (24.6%) yatrogenic and 14 (20.3%) idiopathic. Diagnosis was made previously at ICU in 63.8% (44 patients). Pericardiocentesis was made in the 12 hours after admission in 40 cases (58%), and was superior than 500 cc in 37(53.6%). We registered pericardiocentesis complications in 7 (10.3%).16 patients dead (23%) most of them with pericardial effusion by mechanic cause.


CONCLUSIONS
Was the pericardial effusion etiology has changed last years, the diagnosis is simply and minimum complications in evacuation, because the means and actual monitorization allow to make pericardiocentesis in optimum conditions.
Ridruejo Sáez
R
R
Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos, Hospital Clínico Universitario Lozano Blesa, Zaragoza.
Zalba Etayo
B
B
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D020519:Pericardiocentesis / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality; D013030:Spain