PERICARDIAL EFFUSION || Pericardiocentesis || Increased pericardial fluid || by Dr Raj Mishra скачать в хорошем качестве

PERICARDIAL EFFUSION || Pericardiocentesis || Increased pericardial fluid || by Dr Raj Mishra

Pericardial Effusion Not what you're looking for? START NEW SEARCH ABOUT CAUSES DIAGNOSIS TREATMENT NEXT STEPS What is pericardial effusion? Pericardial effusion is the buildup of extra fluid in the space around the heart. If too much fluid builds up, it can put pressure on the heart. This can prevent it from pumping normally. A fibrous sac called the pericardium surrounds the heart. This sac consists of two thin layers. Normally, there is a small amount of fluid between them. The fluid reduces friction between the two layers as they rub against each other during each heartbeat. In some cases, extra fluid can build up between these two layers leading to a pericardial effusion. A little fluid won’t cause much of a problem. But if too much fluid builds up, it can make it hard for the heart to expand normally. This condition is called cardiac tamponade. It usually requires emergency treatment. Because the heart can't expand normally, less blood can enter the heart from the body. This can reduce the amount of oxygenated blood going out to the body. But not all pericardial effusions cause cardiac tamponade. pericardial effusion? A number of conditions can cause excess fluid and inflammation in the pericardial sac, such as: Cancer (spread from another part of the body or from the heart tissue itself) Infection of the pericardial sac, such as from viral or bacterial infections Inflammation of the pericardial sac (for example, because of a heart attack) Injury (including those from medical procedures on the heart) Immune system problems Metabolic causes, like kidney failure with uremia Reactions to certain medicines Radiation Sometimes the cause of fluid buildup is unknown. What are the symptoms of pericardial effusion? You may not have any symptoms. This is more often the case with a mild effusion. You might be more likely to have symptoms from whatever is causing the pericardial effusion. For example, you might have fever if you have an infection of the pericardial sac. When effusion is more severe, you may have symptoms such as: Chest pain or discomfort Enlargement of the veins of the neck Fainting Fast breathing Increased heart rate Nausea Pain in the right upper abdomen Shortness of breath Swelling in the arms and legs If the effusion is very severe, it can also lead to very low blood pressure. This can cause symptoms of shock. These include: Lightheadedness or dizziness Cool arms and legs Clammy skin Weakness Rapid breathing Nausea or vomiting Pale skin Less urine output Shock is a medical emergency. Many of these symptoms can be caused by other health problems. Always see your healthcare provider for a diagnosis. How is pericardial effusion diagnosed? The process starts with a health history and a physical exam. Your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms and past medical conditions. For symptoms of shock, it's important to find the cause quickly. Tests may also be done, such as: Chest X-ray to see the heart anatomy Imaging of the chest or heart with a CT scan or MRI Echocardiogram (echo) to look at fluid around the heart and heart motion Electrocardiogram (ECG) to analyze the heart’s electrical rhythm If a pericardial effusion is found, healthcare providers must try to diagnose the cause. They may use tests such as: Analysis of the fluid removed from around the heart to check for cancer or infection Different blood tests to diagnose infection, immune system, and metabolic problems How is pericardial effusion treated? Treatment will depend on your symptoms, age, and general health. It will also depend on how severe the condition is and what caused it. Chronic and acute pericardial effusions may require different treatment. If a pericardial effusion is not severe, treatment may include: Careful monitoring with repeated echocardiograms Therapy aimed at the cause of the effusion, such as antibiotics for a bacterial infection or medicines, such as ibuprofen, for inflammation Treatment of pain with aspirin or another medicine A severe pericardial effusion may need to be drained. The fluid is drained with a procedure called pericardiocentesis. This procedure uses a needle and a thin, flexible tube (catheter) to drain the fluid. In some cases, the pericardial sac may be drained during surgery. The surgeon may remove a piece of the pericardium. This is done to help diagnose the cause of the effusion. It can also prevent the fluid from building up again. Your provider might be more likely to do this if you've had chronic pericardial effusion. Symptoms often improve greatly after the excess fluid is drained. The outcome of treatment may depend on the cause and severity of the condition, how quickly treatment is started, and your overall health.