title: Pericardial effusions: do they all require pericardiocentesis?
abstract: Pericardial effusions are associated with multiple disorders, the causes of which are dependent on local epidemiologic and patient-specific factors. Pericardial effusions exhibit a broad spectrum of clinical presentations and may or may not be symptomatic. Echocardiographically guided pericardiocentesis should be reserved for patients with hemodynamic compromise, an intrathoracic mass effect, or an uncertain cause. Not all patients with pericardial effusions require pericardiocentesis, and an algorithmic approach to the decision to perform pericardiocentesis is recommended.
authors.affiliation: Section of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Manitoba, Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
authors.forename: William F
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: McIntyre
authors.affiliation: Section of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Manitoba, Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada; Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, St Boniface Research Centre, University of Manitoba, Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada; Department of Radiology, St Boniface General Hospital, University of Manitoba, Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
authors.forename: Davinder S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Jassal
authors.affiliation: Section of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Manitoba, Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada. Electronic address: amorris@sbgh.mb.ca.
authors.forename: Andrew L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Morris
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002305:Cardiac Tamponade / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D020519:Pericardiocentesis / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D019564:Unnecessary Procedures