Key result
Malignant pericardial effusion develops in 5% to 50% of patients with disseminated malignant disease, with experimental models suggesting both lymphatic and venous obstruction are required.
Malignant pericardial effusion is a life-threatening complication in patients with disseminated malignancy, driven by tumor implantation or lymphatic obstruction.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Demands clinical vigilance for effusion in advanced malignancy; leaves open prospective validation of mechanisms and interventions.
The accumulation of fluid in the potential space between serosal membranes may develop in 5% to 50% of patients with disseminated malignant disease.1Malignant pericardial effusion is particularly important because of its insidious clinical expression and the life-threatening potential of cardiac tamponade. Two mechanisms for the production of pericardial effusion that have been suggested are (1) tumor implantation on serosal surfaces leading to exudation of fluid, and (2) obstruction to lymphatic flow by mediastinal or hilar neoplastic infiltration causing transudation of fluid within the pericardial sac.2In the experimental model, lymph flow proceeds from the endocardial to the epicardial surface, and pericardial effusion is an accumulation of fluid exuding from the visceral pericardium (epicardium). Mere obstruction of the mediastinal lymphatic system draining the heart is inadequate to produce pericardial effusion, and additional ligation of the coronary sinus and the anterior coronary veins is essential. These studies have two
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
J. J. Lokich (1973) conducted a review in Malignant pericardial effusion. Malignant pericardial effusion develops in 5% to 50% of patients with disseminated malignant disease, with experimental models suggesting both lymphatic and venous obstruction are required.
Synapse has enriched 10 related papers. Consider them for comparative context: