What question did this study set out to answer?

This research evaluates how reliable echocardiograms are for detecting and measuring pericardial effusion.

August 1, 1974Circulation

Sensitivity and Specificity of Echocardiographic Diagnosis of Pericardial Effusion

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Why the study?

Does echocardiography accurately detect and quantitate pericardial effusion compared to surgical aspiration in patients undergoing cardiac operation?

Population

41 patients scheduled for cardiac operation

Comparison

Echocardiogram on the day prior to cardiac… vs Surgical aspiration of the pericardium using a…

Design

Cross-sectional

Authors

MHMichael S. HorowitzMontclair State University CSCLIFFORD S. SCHULTZStanford Medicine ESEdward B. StinsonHeart Failure / Cardiomyopathy

Discussion

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Implication

Persistent posterior echo-free space may flag >15 ml effusion preoperatively; leaves open prospective validation of echo thresholds.

Key Points

This research evaluates how reliable echocardiograms are for detecting and measuring pericardial effusion.
41 patients underwent echocardiograms one day before cardiac surgery, with fluid aspiration during the operation.
39 echocardiograms were deemed diagnostic quality, and fluid volumes were measured at surgery.
Diagnostic patterns of epicardial-pericardial movement were analyzed concerning the fluid volume.
In 25 patients, echocardiograms were negative for effusion, correlating with minimal fluid (0-16 ml) at surgery.
In 13 patients, positive echocardiograms indicated larger pericardial effusions (15-775 ml) at surgery.
A consistent posterior echo-free space was linked to effusion presence, affecting diagnostic significance.

Structured PICO

Does echocardiography accurately detect and quantitate pericardial effusion compared to surgical aspiration in patients undergoing cardiac operation?

Population

41 patients scheduled for cardiac operation

Intervention

Echocardiogram on the day prior to cardiac operation

Comparator

Surgical aspiration of the pericardium using a fluid trap at operation

Outcome

Detection and quantitation of pericardial effusionsurrogate

Echocardiography is a reliable method for detecting and estimating the volume of pericardial effusion, with specific echo-free space patterns correlating with fluid volume.

Cite This Study

Horowitz et al. (1974) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a206640e41fe89b4c9cd76d https://doi.org/10.1161/01.cir.50.2.239

Topics

Echocardiography

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Sensitivity and Specificity of Echocardiographic Diagnosis of Pericardial Effusion

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Structured PICO

Cite This Study

Topics

Sensitivity and Specificity of Echocardiographic Diagnosis of Pericardial Effusion

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Structured PICO

Cite This Study

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