Pericardial aspiration was unsuccessful when associated with loculation, but relieved breathlessness in 21 of 26 patients with suspected effusion-related dyspnea.
Observational (n=30)
Does pericardiocentesis improve symptoms in patients with pericardial effusion?
Pericardiocentesis can provide symptomatic relief of breathlessness in patients with pericardial effusion even in the absence of classic tamponade signs, though loculated effusions reduce aspiration success.
OBJECTIVE: To identify features associated with success or failure of aspiration of pericardial effusion. METHOD: A retrospective analysis of 36 drainage procedures in 30 patients with pericardial effusion was performed using patient records and echocardiograms. RESULTS: Unsuccessful aspiration was associated with pericardial loculation but not with the seniority of the operator or the size and position of the effusion. Pericardiocentesis relieved symptoms of breathlessness in 21 of 26 patients who had a pericardial effusion suspected of causing dyspnoea. These 21 patients had few clinical or echocardiographic signs of classic tamponade. CONCLUSION: The paucity of abnormal physical or echocardiographic signs of tamponade in breathless patients with pericardial effusion does not exclude symptomatic benefit being derived from pericardiocentesis. Pericardial aspiration is safe in appropriate hands, although aspiration of loculated effusions may not be as successful as aspiration of non-loculated effusions.
Cooper et al. (Sat,) conducted a observational in Pericardial effusion (n=30). Pericardial aspiration was evaluated on Success or failure of aspiration. Pericardial aspiration was unsuccessful when associated with loculation, but relieved breathlessness in 21 of 26 patients with suspected effusion-related dyspnea.
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