Treatment depends on the underlying cause and the severity of the heart impairment. For example, pericardial effusion from autoimmune etiologies may benefit from anti-inflammatory medications. Pericardial effusion due to a viral infection usually resolves within a few weeks without any treatment. Small pericardial effusions without any symptoms don't require treatment and may be watched with serial ultrasounds. If the effusion is compromising heart function and causing cardiac tamponade, it will need to be drained. Fluid can be drained via needle pericardiocentesis as discussed above or surgical procedures, such as a pericardial window. The intervention used depends on the cause of pericardial effusion and the clinical status of the patient. Pericardiocentesis is the choice of treatment in unstable patients: it can be performed at the bedside and in a timely manner. A drainage tube is often left in place for 24 hours or more for assessment of re-accumulation of fluid and also for continued drainage. Patients with cardiac tamponade are also given IV fluids and/or vasopressors to increase systemic blood pressure and cardiac output. But in localized or malignant effusions, surgical drainage may be required instead. This is most often done by cutting through the pericardium and creating a pericardial window This window provides a path for the fluid to be drained directly into the chest cavity, which prevents future development of cardiac tamponade. In localized effusions, it might be difficult to get safe access for pericardiocentesis, hence a surgical procedure is preferred. In case of malignant effusions, the high likelihood of recurrence of fluid accumulation is the main reason for a surgical procedure. Pericardiocentesis is not preferred for chronic treatment options due to risk of infection.
medical diagnosis of Pericarditis
medical cause of Constrictive pericarditis
medical cause of Pericarditis
medical cause of Myocardial infarction
medical cause of Myocarditis
medical cause of Chest pain
complications of Pericarditis
medical cause of Ventricular fibrillation