[Pericardiocentesis in a critical care unit]

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Critical Care Medicine
• Thoracic Surgery

Context:

• Pericardial effusion is a critical condition requiring timely intervention.
• The etiology and outcomes of pericardial effusion can vary significantly.
• Pericardiocentesis is a key procedure for diagnosing and managing pericardial effusion.

Purpose:

• To investigate the etiology, complications, and mortality associated with pericardial effusion.
• To analyze the effectiveness and safety of pericardiocentesis in a critical care setting.
• To understand current trends in pericardial effusion causes and management.

Summary:

• A study of 69 patients with pericardial effusion in a critical care unit revealed neoplastic (27.5%) as the most common etiology, followed by iatrogenic (24.6%) and idiopathic (20.3%).
• Diagnosis was established pre-ICU in 63.8% of cases. Pericardiocentesis, performed within 12 hours in 58% of patients, yielded >500 cc in 53.6% with a complication rate of 10.3%.
• Mortality was 23%, primarily in patients with mechanical pericardial effusion. The study highlights evolving etiologies and the safety of modern pericardiocentesis techniques.

Impact:

• Informs clinical practice regarding the diagnosis and management of pericardial effusion.
• Emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and intervention in critical care.
• Suggests that advancements in monitoring have improved the safety and efficacy of pericardiocentesis.