Pericardiocentesis is a life-saving, minimally invasive procedure performed to remove excess fluid from the pericardial sac (the protective membrane surrounding the heart). When this fluid accumulates excessively, it can compress the heart — a condition called cardiac tamponade, which requires urgent intervention.
Pericardiocentesis urgently relieves pressure on the heart caused by fluid accumulation.
Excess fluid around the heart can restrict normal cardiac filling and reduce blood output, leading to low blood pressure, breathlessness, shock, and death if not treated promptly.
- Cardiac tamponade (life-threatening)
- Large pericardial effusion causing symptoms
- Suspected infection (TB pericardial effusion)
- Malignant pericardial effusion
- Uremic pericarditis
- Post-cardiac surgery effusions
Symptoms of Pericardial Effusion
Accumulation of fluid around the heart can produce severe and rapidly worsening symptoms.
Symptoms include severe breathlessness, low blood pressure, chest discomfort, rapid heartbeat, and distended neck veins.
The procedure is urgently required in cardiac tamponade and in large or symptomatic pericardial effusions.
The patient is positioned with head elevated, local anesthesia is given, and a needle is inserted using subxiphoid or apical approach under echocardiography or fluoroscopy guidance.
Fluid is aspirated slowly, and a pigtail catheter may be left for continuous drainage. The fluid is sent for TB markers, cytology, and infection tests.
Pericardiocentesis rapidly relieves cardiac compression, stabilizes blood pressure, improves breathing, and allows diagnosis of the underlying cause.
Expert Pericardiocentesis
Timely pericardiocentesis is a life-saving procedure that relieves cardiac tamponade, improves hemodynamics, and helps diagnose the underlying cause of pericardial effusion.
