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Published on: January 16, 2019
Hemodynamically unstable pericardial effusion in the Intensive Cardiac Unit: prospective study
Z Babic1, V Nikolic-Heitzler, N Bulj
1Intensive Cardiac Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Sestre Milosrdnice, Zagreb, Croatia. zdrbabic@globalnet.hr
Acta Medica Austriaca
|December 16, 2003
Summary
This study investigated hemodynamically unstable pericardial effusion in 15 patients. Findings highlight common symptoms, clinical signs, and diagnostic changes, with most patients improving after treatment.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Pericardial effusion can lead to hemodynamic instability.
- Understanding the clinical presentation and management is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prospectively investigate hemodynamically unstable pericardial effusion.
- To compare findings with existing literature.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 15 ICU patients with unstable pericardial effusion.
- Echocardiography, clinical examination, laboratory tests, ECG, and chest X-ray were used.
- Literature data comparison.
Main Results:
- Common causes included neoplasms, infections, and hypothyroidism.
- Frequent symptoms: dyspnea, chest pain; signs: hypotension, tachycardia.
- Echocardiography showed average effusion width of 2.5 cm; thickened pericardium.
- Most patients improved with medical or surgical treatment.
Conclusions:
- Hemodynamically unstable pericardial effusion presents with characteristic clinical and diagnostic findings.
- Treatment strategies vary, with most patients showing improvement.
- Literature data may differ from these prospective findings.
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