Why the study?
Does primary percutaneous balloon pericardiotomy improve outcomes or reduce reaccumulation compared to simple drainage in patients with malignant pericardial effusion?
Population
43 patients with symptomatic, malignant pericardial effusion
Comparison
Primary percutaneous balloon pericardiotomy vs Simple drainage or surgery
Design
Cohort
Follow-up
median survival 56 days
Authors
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Comparable rates in this cohort should not yet change practice; leaves open whether balloon pericardiotomy reduces reaccumulation versus simple aspiration.
Does primary percutaneous balloon pericardiotomy improve outcomes or reduce reaccumulation compared to simple drainage in patients with malignant pericardial effusion?
Balloon pericardiotomy is a safe and effective initial management strategy for symptomatic malignant pericardial effusions, with complication and reaccumulation rates similar to simple drainage.
Swanson et al. (2008) studied this question.
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